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COPyRIGHT DEPosrr 



LYRICS OF LIFE 



BY 



ABRAHAM MESSLER QUICK 



My endeavors have ever come too short of my 
desires. 

—Shakespeare. 




NEW YORK 

THE BOARD OF PUBLICATION 

of the Reformed Church in Amenca 

25 East Twenty second Street 

1906 






6 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 

JUN 11 1906 

( j Ceiyri^ht Entry 



4iLASS < 



i/ht Entry y 



CLASS CI, XXc. No. 
' ^ COPY B. 



\9o(b 



Copyright by the 

Board of Publication 

OF THE Reformed Church in America 

1906 



To the honored memory of 

My Beloved Mother, 

Whose unselfish love and spirit 

has been an inspiration 

to my life-work 

This volume is reverently and affectionately 

Dedicated 



PREFACE 

fF a preface be an apology for publish^ 
ing a book, it would seem eminently 
fitting that a few apologetic lines 
should especially preface and accompany a 
book of poems. Why? Because in an age 
flooded by fiction, storied by magazines, 
gorged by the daily press, the spare time and 
thought of the average reader is thereby 
consumed, and unless he have poetry in his 
nature, a book of poems will be but little 
sought after. 

A true reader of poetry must have some 
poetry in his soul, and thus be enabled to 
attain, in a degree at least, to the inspiration 
that must imbue the poet. While poetry is 
the concrete and artistic expression of the 
human mind, in emotional and rythmical 
language and imagery, it is more still, it is 
an inspiration, and in order to produce 
poetry, the soul, by a spell-bound mood, 
must have reached that state of exaltation, 
that freedom of self-consciousness, that ab- 
stracts it for the time-being from the trap- 
pings of the world, its cynicism, its ambi- 
tions, and is enabled to enter its own secret 



LYRICS OF LIFE 



sanctuary, and higher communion. And 
the reader must be able to follow closely 
behind in this inner sanctuary, with ears 
attuned to the metrical scheme, and be open 
and receptive to the imagery and emotional 
flights. 

It is not the aim or object of the author 
of this volume, to thrust or force his work 
of leisure hours upon the reading public. 

While being admonished by Solomon '*of 
making many books, there is no end," this 
will appear among the innumerable, only in 
response to many requests of friends, to 
have these leisure hour musings in a bound 
volume. If it may thus reach them as a 
souvenir of affection or friendship, if it be 
helpful in lifting thoughts through nature 
up to nature's God, if it be a source of com- 
fort, consolation and hope to the sorrowing, 
if it bring good cheer and gospel light to the 
groping and saddened, gladly shall the 
author bring this humble contribution of 
verse and song, and throw it in the lap of all 
such, and invoke the blessing of God upon 
its perusal. 

The great majority of the contents of this 
volume was written for the author's own 
satisfaction, and many of the poems amid 
scenes and surroundings which inspired the 
uplift of soul, and while a few of them have 



PREFACE 



been hitherto given for publication in cur- 
rent periodicals of the day, the most of them 
have never before been offered to the press. 

It is worthy of complimentary mention 
just here, and to make a record of warmest 
thanks to the accomplished scholar, and the 
author's honored friend, the Reverend Rob- 
ert P. Kerr, D. D., for his valuable criticism 
of these poems, prior to their publication. 
As compiler and editor of the Church 
Hymnal, titled "Hymns of the Ages," as 
author also of several other works. Dr. 
Kerr's competent and reliable criticism is 
highly prized. 

Appreciative thanks is also due to The 
Board of Publication of the Reformed 
Church in America, the publishers, for the 
issuance of this work in such attractive 
and tasteful form, and for all the courtesies 
extended to 

The Author. 



CONTENTS 

Fireside Lyrics 

Page 

Why? 19 

All in All 20 

Our Sceptical Hearts 21 

Memories 22 

Music's Mission 25 

My Castle in the Air 2^ 

Birdie's Lament 29 

Abiding in Christ 30 

Just a Glimpse 31 

Sweet Home — Thy Love 34 

My Prayer 35 

Now and Then 37 

Churchyard Reverie 38 

To the Unseen Shore. 41 

Sleep 41 

Morning 43 

Within the Veil 44 

Soliloquy of a Summer Trunk 46 

To a Skull 48 

The Uplift Song 50 



12 LYRICS OF LIFE 



Page 

The Other Shore 52 

Recollections of Early Days 53 

Still in My Prayer 55 

The Master Helper 56 

Doubt 57 

He Leadeth Me 59 

My Choice 60 

Bobolink 60 

Among the Hills 

Mountain Carol 65 

Forest Reverie 67 

Beyond the Sunset 68 

The Hillside Path 70 

Sea of Galilee 72 

Sunset at the Lake 73 

Mountain Altars 75 

Joy of the Hills yy 

My Forest Shrine 78 

Forest Voices 79 

The Mountain Stream 81 

Alpine Carol 83 

In the Wild Wood 84 

My Mountain Hymn 86 

Forest Dreaming 88 



CONTENTS 13 



The Advent 

Page 

Song of the Angels 91 

Christmas Lays 92 

The Old and the New 93 

The Yule-Tide of Joy 95 

Easter 

Easter Messages 99 

Easter Joy ". 100 

Triumphant Life : . loi 

Easter Ode 102 

Easter Gladness 103 

Occasional Poems 

The Dying Year's Farewell 107 

The Dawn of the Century 109 

Arlington no 

Apotheosis of the Nation's Grief 113 

The Span of Life 115 

Passing 1 16 

Our Loving Father 117 

Our Land of Liberty 119 

A Golden Wedding 120 

In God's Vineyard 122 

Soul of the Spring-Tide. 123 



14 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Poems of Religious and Spiritual Life 

Page 

Unto Thee 129 

Mystery 130 

The Land of Silence 132 

All's Well 133 

Christ the Morning Star 134 

Serenity 135 

Thy Will be Done 136 

Out of Darkness 138 

In Thy Light 140 

The Master's Cheer 141 

The Suppliant 143 

The Sure Refuge 144 

Hymn, Of Christ's Outgoing Love 145 

Confession 146 

The Potter's Wheel 148 

Hymn of Praise 149 

Our Mission 150 

The Church Assailed 151 

The Infallible Leader 152 

The Fountain of Life. 155 

Christ's Comforting Presence. ... 156 



CONTENTS 15 



Waves of Life 

Page 

Waves of Life 161 

Miscellaneous Poems 

Power of Words 169 

The Butterfly 171 

The Wave 172 

The Undertow 173 

Deeds 174 

The Forrest Quarrel 176 

May Day 177 

Notes from the Belfry 179 

Lily of the Valley 181 

The Well Wedded Pair 183 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 



WHY? 

cyi^j/C^ HY need I search the depths un- 
^j^^ known, 

To read on parchment or on 
stone, 
That I perchance some clew may find, 
To reach beyond the finite mind. 
Into the realms of yonder sphere ? 
When all I need to know is near, 
And every fruitless dream and guess. 
Of wisdom, is but foolishness. 

Why need I climb high hills with pain, 
A nearer view of heaven to gain. 
When lowest depths of shaded dells. 
Where humblest meditation dwells, 
Reveal the loftiest heavenly things, 
Where faith, as on a seraph's wings. 
May soar among the realms of light, 
Where I shall have unmeasured sight. 



20 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Nay ! great enigmas still unguessed, 
Unmeasured in eternal quest, 
Unfold in tokens great or small, 
In God's clear light to each and all, 
For from the page divinely wrought. 
By seer and bard and spirit taught. 
There falls a voice so sweet and clear. 
That whispers in my spirit's ear, 
The secret keys that open pry. 
The unlocked gates of mystery. 

All quest untaught, is vain, I trow, 
Enough for me to feel and know. 
That quest for truth He will unfold, 
And silence all my doubts untold, 
Who bids His overwearied child. 
To find a rest from wanderings wild, 
In His pavilion peace to find. 
And solace for a troubled mind. 



ALL IN ALL 

mY thoughts, O God, of joy and love, 
That roam for perfect rest in 
vain; 
Of weary wing, Hke Noah's dove. 

Come back to rest in Thee again. 
And thus, within the home divine, 
xA.ll joy and love I find in Thee, 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 21 



And more than all that I call mine, 
Thou art, O God, to me. 

The graces and the loves, which make. 
The music of the march of life, 

Of love and life from Thee partake. 
With whom all deeds of love were rife ; 

O then with Thee let me abide. 
That all Thy graces I may see, 

For more than all on earth beside. 
Thou art, O Christ, to me. 

Thou art the Truth, the Life, the Way, 
The Source and Spring of all we need, 

To drooping souls Thou art the stay. 
The Healer of the bruised reed, 

W^ith open ear to each distress. 
The guest of Peter on the sea. 

E'er Thou hast been the Christ to bless. 
Wilt Thou be these to me ? 



OUR SCEPTICAL HEARTS 

HE mystic mazes of God's will. 
The shadows of His light. 
Unseen, unknown, shall all fulfil 
The purpose of the right. 



Z 



From fancied ills, oft blessings rise. 
And put our fears to shame. 



22 LYRICSOFLIFE 



And though they come in grim disguise, 
Are needful as the rain. 

One Httle part we dimly scan, 

If it incongruous seem, 
And dare arraign the wondrous plan. 

That foils our fondest dream. 

As broken laws around us lie, 
We of their wrecks complain. 

And murmur with accusing cry. 
Our self-inflicted pain. 

Base unbelief, that hateful thing, 

As from the light we turn, 
That makes us sigh when we should sing, 

Can ne'er God's face discern. 

In all our rankling doubts so sore. 

This truth be with us still, 
That 'tis our province to adore, 

And question not His will. 



TH 



MEMORIES 

OW sweet the impressions that hal- 
low the soul. 
That through the dim vistas of 
memory roll, 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 23 



From the early loved haunts and first ap- 
plied truth, 
That compass the horizon of childhood and 

youth, 
Though long have they flown on the wings 

of the past. 
The scenes still in memory are riveted fast, 
And awake one by one as their images rise, 
Like the glories of light on the sunset skies. 
And sweeten the day's close in retrospect 

view. 
Like the gems of the night in the silent 
blue. 

Some moments in life are as fixed as the 

stars. 
And brighten at twilight like Venus or 

Mars, 
Growing more vivid as time steals away, 
And giving new charms to the lonliest day, 
And slight though withal be the things 

which recur. 
Sweet are their spells as the emotions they 

stir. 
Who then these day-dreams would freely 

forego, 
And over the dim past a mantle would 

throw? 



24 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Far sweeter these visions than fancy may 

weave, 
In her web of illusion that shines to deceive. 

Enriching the memories of sweet summer 

eves, 
With the voice of waters or the whispering- 
breeze. 
Or the moon-lit wave, or the enchanted 

way, 
Are the smiles and the voices more dear 

than they, 
That dwell in our memory though the 

tongues are mute, 
As sweet as spring sunbeams or strains of 

the lute. 
That thrill in our veins giving glow to the 

cheek. 
As though now leaning forward to hear 

them speak. 

Though the lights of our memory back- 
ward now stream. 

And ope to us visions like a midnight 
dream, 

Our faith and our longing persistently 
turn. 

To dreams of the future for comfort to 
learn, 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 25 



To embrace in our vision the hearts that 

were true, 
Whose memories as sweet blossoms our 

pathways strew, 
For yon home of our loves more rapture 

instills, 
Than the memories that linger 'round 

homestead hills. 



MUSICS MISSION 

<V YfTI ERE I to write a poem, 

% %jLl A sweet and touching lay, 

I'd make it balm and music, 
To grief and pain allay, 
Then hie me to the bedside, 

Of agonizing pain. 
And sing its soothing stanzas 
Over and over again. 

I'd fill the night with music, 

The darkest night of grief, 
To soothe the breaking heart-strings, 

And bring some sweet relief, 
Perchance the gloom would gather, 

And fold its sable shroud, 
Like magic of the dawning. 

Dispelling darkest cloud. 



26 LYRICSOFLIFE 



I'd haste to somber chamber, 

Where soul and body part, 
And breathe a benediction 

On faint and fluttering heart, 
In tones of angel sweetness, 

Like harpers from the skies, 
I'd sing some lays of promise, 

To soul while hence it flies. 

Melody sweet from heaven. 

To cheer the soul when faint. 
We plead for darkest chambers, 

Where hearts are sorely rent. 
To smooth the way, and soften 

The rugged road of life, < 
To quell the fevered heart-throbs, 

And hush the notes of strife. 

O let my muse then waken. 

And trill its richest strains. 
To charge the air grief-laden, 

While golden hour remains. 
As perfumes of the flowers, 

In dews of night distill, 
Shall ministrant of music 

It's loving task fulfill. 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 27 



MY CASTLE IN THE AIR 

n| HAVE at times a vision, 
11 It may be just a dream, 

The vision of a castle, 

With gold its turrets gleam, 
Its walls with jewels sparkle, 

Its architecture rare. 
And all its rich adornments 

Are those of choicest ware. 
This world doth rarely furnish 

A castle quite so fair. 

I strove to reach its portals. 

But clouds would intervene. 
And found my efforts thwarted. 

By dark and misty screen. 
Again the sky would brighten. 

And sunshine gild my way. 
And thus again my palace. 

Would seem built there to stay, 
And every futile effort. 

To climb that upward stair. 
Revealed to me 'twas only, 

A castle in the air. 

Oh, why are earthly longings, 
For boons we cannot reach? 

Oh, why 'tween us and fancies. 
This wide and fearful breach? 



28 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Why are joys the sweetest, 

We crave but ne'er can taste? 
And why this constant struggle, 

For riches in such haste, 
Unless it be to teach us. 

The heart's too great for earth, 
To find that earthly longings. 

Have death as well as birth. 

'Tis wiser far to treasure. 

The blessings at my hand. 
And make the most of mercies, 

That fall at my command. 
The sunshine and the shadow. 

Directed from above 
Sould bring me sweet contentment. 

For each has seal of love. 
And if I have a vision, 

Of mansion bright and fair. 
It should be one more glorious. 

Than castle in the air. 

The vision of a mansion, 

Be mine by faith to see, 
One of celestial beauty. 

One of permanency, 
A palace bright and kingly, 

With joys beyond compare, 
Prepared by blood-bought ransom. 

For all who enter there ; 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 29 



Be this my brightest vision, 
Up yon celestial stair, 

My soul's pur© aspiration, 
As castle in the air. 



BIRDIE'S LAMENT 

^^ OYOUS and happy with, melodious 
^ song, 

^-^ Merry with praises which to heaven 

belong, 
With music for forest, and life for the grove 
With my twitter and song wherever I rove, 
A life so untrameled with burden and care, 
O, why was I slain at the Vanity Fair? 

My garments they rival for beauty and 

grace. 
Ermine the choicest, and the richest of lace ; 
Alike are they sought for by peasant and 

queen 
For their texture silken and their lustrous 

sheen ; 
A fabric so costly, so rich, and so rare, 
Is why I was slain at this Vanity Fair? 

O why were we robbed of our freedom and 

mirth, 
O why were we reckoned of so little worth? 



30 LYRICS OF LIFE 



Why were we captured when singing our 

sonnet, 
Why taken to deck a fair maiden's bonnet? 
An ornament only for woman to wear, 
Is why we were slain at this Vanity Fair. 

O cruel, most cruel, iniquitous self. 
To immolate lives on the altars of pelf; 
Ye maidens of honor, why suffer your pride 
To sacrifice mercy and goodness deride? 
Let the loving and kind and merciful spare 
The slaying of Birdie at Vanity Fair. 



ABIDING IN CHRIST 

Tune : Nearer my God to Thee. 

y^ OMING, O Christ, to Thee, 
11^ Coming to Thee, 

Is heeding Thy sweet call. 
And life to me, 
I'm glad the way to know. 
Where streams of mercy flow. 
By following Thee. 

Hiding, O Christ, in Thee, 

Hiding in Thee, 
Affords a refuge sure, 

On land and sea, i 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 31 



No resting place beside, 
In all the trackless tide, 
I find but Thee. 

Dearer, My Lord, to me. 

Dearer to me, 
Art Thou, than earthly things. 

Ever can be. 
Since I Thy fulness know. 
All Thy rich blessings grow, 

Sweeter to me. 

Nearer, O Christ, to Thee, 

Nearer to Thee, 
Such fellowship as Thine, 

Is sweet to me. 
And best of all 'twill be. 
Thy smiling face to see, 

At home with Thee. 



JUST A GLIMPSE 

cyi^/f^ E may not rend the veil apart 
mi mA M That hides the gates of day 

From visions of the yearning 
heart. 
And every guess allay; 
The raptures that the angels know. 
We may not taste just now. 



32 



LYRICS OF LIFE 



Not while within the vale of woe, 

Before the waves we plow; 
Glory life shall we forestall? 
Just a glimpse and that is all. 

We may not sing the victor's song. 

Triumphant o'er all foes, 
The final one we'll not disarm, 

Till passing through death's throes, 
We think we hear the white-robed choirs, 

At times a rapturous strain, 
A note or two from golden lyres, 

And then the earth's refrain; 
This alone we can recall. 
Just a glimpse and that is all. 

We may not meet the saintly throng, 

This side the Jordan stream. 
We'll tarry here, 'twill not be long. 

The vision now a dream; 
A glimpse of those who've gone before, 

Companions dear in life. 
Is all for us on yonder shore, 

Till through with scenes of strife, 
Till in view of jasper wall. 
Just a glimpse and that is all. 

We may not view the sapphire throne, 
Nor walk the streets of gold. 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 33 



Nor yet the jeweled city roam, 

Until the gates unfold ; 
Such visions now from us withdraw, 

While veil of flesh remains, 
As royal Seer in Patmos saw. 

With naught of sad refrains, 
Foretastes ours but very small, 
Just a glimpse and that is all. 

At last when Jordan's banks we near. 

And hear the waves dash high. 
The lights beyond bring dying cheer. 

And angel bands draw nigh, 
We catch a glimpse of dear ones there, 

We've known and loved so well; 
They beckon us their bliss to share 

Beyond the river's swell, 
But until the boatman's call. 
Just a glimpse and that is all. 

Just a glimpse! No, that's not all. 

The pearly gates withdrawn. 
The Jordan crossed, within the wall. 

The scenes of glory dawn. 
Such heights of grandeur, sum of bliss. 

No glimpse before did show, 
The highest joys with naught amiss. 

Not those that come and go, 
Are yours in hope, ye heirs of light, 
Now near at hand, but not in sight. 



34 LYRICSOFLIFE 



SWEET HOME, THY LOVE, 

HFTER we roam — 
Sweet home, 
From woes release — 
Sweet peace. 
In the land so lovely and holy and bright. 
The hope of the heart and the dreams of the 

night, 
To share in the peace, and the joy and the 

love, 
To walk in the light of the glory above. 
After we roam. 
Sweet home. 

The best above — 

Thy love, 

Our dearest tryste — 

The Christ, 
Our sweet remembrances, hopes, dreams 

and desires. 
Converge to the life which the spirit in- 
spires. 
Alive in Thy love, O Christ I would be. 
For living to God Thou art alive to me. 

The best above, 

Thy love. 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 35 



MY PRAYER 

^-w-^Y Lord, the Christ, to me be near, 
1 II V In all the avenues of life, 

To inspire with faith and hope 
and cheer. 
In weal, and woe, and holy strife. 
Bid me, like John, upon Thy breast 
To lean, and feel thy pulse of love. 
That all my powers may gain new zest, 
That t'ward yon goal, my soul may move. 

If aught should tempt my soul to stray. 

From wisdom's way I should pursue. 
Be near me then my feet to stay. 

And give me strength the right to do, 
O Thou, who felt the tempter's power. 

And foiled him in each wiley scheme. 
Defend me in each dangerous hour. 

And cause Thy Hfe through me to stream. 

Be near me when my trials press. 

When through my tears no light I see. 
Pity and hope, in my distress, 

Complete, are found alone in Thee, 
For Thou who once in anguish knelt. 

In Thine own dark Gethsemane, 
And wrestled lone for other's guilt. 

Wilt surely cheer and comfort me. 



36 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Be near me in the house of prayer, 

When I, in my devotions bend, 
That vows sincere, I may declare, 

And incense from these akars send, 
Each new approach to Thee I feel. 

The joy that from Thy presence springs, 
This shall inspire new faith and zeal, 

Which intercourse with heaven brings. 

Be near me, Saviour, in my dreams, 

That holy visions I may see, 
For phantom-rapture often seems. 

More real than that which is to be. 
If any vision should reveal. 

Thyself and things of world to come. 
To buoyant trust this would appeal. 

E'en though the nerve of sense is numb. 

Be near me when my light is low. 

And blood creeps slowly in my veins. 
And all the wheels of life are slow. 

And forces yield to throbbing pains; 
And when I end this earthly strife. 

Be near me then, my trust to stay, 
At sunset of this mortal life. 

The twilight of eternal day. 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 37 



NOW AND THEN 

<y|^«^ HEN way is lonely, dark and 
^Jj^l drear, 

A Guide unseen, is ever near, 
All the night, 
Beyond the veil a bright array. 
Of friends, will greet at dawn of day. 
Then how bright. 

Bowed down may be the heart with grief, 
And we may find no sure relief. 

While 'tis dark. 
But, ''It is I be not afraid," 
Shall cheer and bring the promised aid. 

Only hark. 

Forget not in thy sorest pains. 
That God o'er all forever reigns. 

In His love. 
With strength upholds our tottering feet, 
In paths He deems for us most meet. 

That lead above. 

Then love Him, trust Him, He will send. 
His guardian angels to attend. 

All the way. 
His grace to help. He doth assure. 
That through His truth we may endure. 

And never stray. 



38 LYRICS OF LIFE 



A pang may seize the parting clay, 
Before the spirit soars away, 

To the skies, 
But from the ashes of its woes, 
Celestial vision shall disclose. 

Sweet surprise. 

Our ears now catch the saintly song. 
From voices clear of white-robed throng, 

Oh how sweet. 
They gather at the gates of day, 
And hover o'er the shining way, 

Us to greet. 



CHURCHYARD REVERIE 

/^^ ONE, gone, forever gone, 

1\^ From homes where love was 

pure and strong, 
From scenes where youthful exploit lay. 
On their childhood's place of play. 
From hearth-stones dear they loved so well. 
Where love and truth in concert dwell. 
Where joys were true, 2nd pure, and sweet. 
And friends were wont their friends to 
greet, 
Gone, gone, forever gone. 
To join the bright celestial throng. 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 



39 



To live the new, unfettered life, 
Beyond the bounds of sin and strife. 

Gone, gone, forever gone, 
From homes where love was pure and 
strong, 
From battle-fields of active life, 
Where duty bared its arm for strife. 
From comrades dear, their joy and pride, 
Who braved their duties side by side. 
And from the solemn house of prayer. 
And all the sweet communions there. 
Gone, gone, forever gone. 
To join the bright celestial throng. 
The battles fought, the victories won. 
Their sun is set, life's work is done. 

Gone, gone, forever gone, 
From' homes where love was pure and 
strong, 
Though with us still in thought and dream. 
When lights of memory backward stream, 
The heart though once a fine-toned lute. 
Now like the spirit is strangely mute, 
We feel the while that manhood's power. 
Can ne'er replace love's priceless dower. 
Gone, gone, forever gone. 
To join the bright celestial throng. 
Forever free from grief and pain. 
Our loss to them eternal gain. 



40 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Gone, gone, forever gone. 
From homes where love was pure and 
strong, 
They've reached the shining farther strand. 
The better shore, the spirit land, 
Within yon city's golden gate, 
They beckon us, and watch, and wait, 
Joyfully sweet shall our meeting be, 
Aft' we have crossed life's troublous sea, 
Gone, gone, forever gone, 
To mingle with the bright-robed throng. 
Now clad in raiment pure and white. 
Cleansed by the Great Redeemer's might. 

Gone, gone, forever gone, 
From homes where love was pure and 
strong, 
Now freed from sin and death's cold flood. 
Ransomed by a Saviour's blood, 
Methinks I hear redemption's song, 
Chorused by all that saintly throng, 
All hymning one triumphant strain. 
Worthy the Lamb that once was slain. 
Gone, gone, forever gone. 
To join the bright celestial throng, 
Be honor, praise and glory given, 
Unto the Lamb enthroned in heaven. 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 41 



TO THE UNSEEN SHORE 

«y|^/<^ HEN tide is running low, 
IJjlIM At eve, when all is still, 

Sometime I'll be borne on the 
outward flow 
With, or against my will. 

A lonely craft I'll be, 

With not a friendly hail, 
On the ebbing tide of an unknown sea, 

And not one dip of a sail. 

My Pilot may I greet, 

As I am nearing port. 
Humbly from Him I shall entrance seek, 

Who mans the harbor fort. 

And when I furl my sail. 

At yonder unseen shore, 
Fondly I'll listen to the wondrous tale, 

From those who sailed before. 



SLEEP 

^JJ" ULL me to sleep, ye winds that 
Jf J blow, 

Soft as an Eolean harp, 
Tell me the tales that soothe me so. 
Bidding cares and woes depart; 



42 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Sweet sleep that drinks the midnight air, 

Luring to forgetfulness, 
That knits the ravelled sleeve of care, 

Binding wounds to heal and bless. 

O sleep; beloved from pole to pole. 

Boundless realm that courts thy power, 
With magic charms possess my soul, 

These my wealth, my priceless dower, 
Than gold, or thrones, or world-wide fame, 

Thee I covet more than all. 
No boon on earth that man can name, 

Can such charms as thine forstall. 

From cisterns cool, of midnight air, 

Bid my spirit drink repose. 
For peaceful rest I breathe this prayer. 

Trusting whence this fountain flows, 
Through haunted chambers of the night. 

Bid me hear the softest chimes. 
That charge my dreams with sweet delight. 

Soothing as a poet's rhymes. 

Thou art endeared by tenderest names. 

Sweet Restorer of the mind. 
By fondest words that fancy frames. 

Life and love, with rest combined. 
Guard me against all wakeful foes. 

On my temples sentry keep. 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 43 



To cares, my wearied vision close, 
And in dreams my eyelids steep. 

**He giveth His beloved sleep," 

Rest for souls while they advance, 
Thus sang the sacred bard so sweet, 

Of the mystic final trance ; 
When passing through the surging deep, 

Ending of a world of strife, 
He giveth His beloved sleep. 

Transport to eternal life. 



MORNING 

O, the night is over, 

Dawn in silence breaks. 
Life, refreshed for duty, 
From sweet sleep awakes. 



% 



Joyously we hail thee. 

Clothed with light new-born. 
Banish with thy brightness. 

Darkness, cloud and storm. 

Gild the world with sunlight. 
In thy welcome reign; 

'Gainst thy sovreign progress, 
Night contends in vain. 



44 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Bid the silent forest, 

'Wake from sleep and shout, 
And to the breeze, hang all her, 

Leafy banners out. 

Spur the lark to matins, 

Soaring in the sky, 
In thy light teach mortals, 

How to live and die. 

Clear is mental vision. 

At the dawn of day. 
Solve we then the problems, 

Brushing doubts away. 

Radiance of the morning, 

Light's exhaustless sea. 
Shine forth as the day spring 

Of eternity. 



WITHIN THE VEIL 

^^i^HE glories of yon dome of night, 
II The temple's outer veil, 

Bestud with gems in lustre bright. 
Invite our thoughts to dwell, 
Where love unveils by light Divine, 
The glories of the inner shrine, 
Within the veil. 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 45 



And as our thoughts in visions rise, 

And mount the golden stair, 
We see by faith beyond the skies. 

The mansions bright and fair, 
And wonder if it e'er shall be, 
Our fond delight henceforth to see. 
Within the veil. 

Among that saintly white-robed throng, 

Are those of kindred dear. 
Who joined with us in sacred song. 

In hallowed courts while here, 
We hear them still, their songs are new, 
Though now their forms are veiled from 
view, 

Within the veil. 

We sit and muse at twilight hour, 

When love and memory too, 
In hallowed spot or sacred bower. 

Bring past again to view, 
And call to mind some spirit flown, 
Whom we regard as still our own. 
Within the veil. 

Ah; yes the hearts that love hath knit. 
Together and in one, 
Have no divorce by Holy Writ, 
While ceaseless ages run, 



46 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Though sundered now by death's cold 

stream, 
As ever one in love I ween, 
Within the veil. 

Within the veil, ah, veilless shrine, 

Most Holy place for all. 
Temple, city, home, all combine, 

Within the Jasper wall. 
Now mysteries solve, and truths unfold, 
In pleasures sweet, and joys untold. 
As parts the veil. 



SOLILOQUY OF A SUMMER 
TRUNK 

^^^ OUGHT was I in my dark corner, 
\y^ In the garret o'er the hall. 

And was told that on a journey 

At the cabman's early call, 
I might go to have an outing. 

At the mountains or the springs, 
I might go with swiftest charger, 

Fleeter pace than eagle wings, 
I might have a dead-head passage, 

But accept the fate it brings. 

Down the stair in hobbling fashion, 
Porter helps my clumsy gait, 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 47 



Now my mission is unfolded, 

Care of luggage is my fate, 
Gowns and garments without number, 

Richest silks and costly lace. 
Fabrics gay of fashion-wearer, 

All that show and style embrace, 
Are entrusted to my keeping, 

Ne'er to wrinkle or efface. 

Starting now with brazen passport, 

Fate has sealed what lies in store, 
But my after sore adventures. 

Those I never dreamed before, 
All make up a grievous story, 

Of the hardships of the way. 
All the jamming, crowding process, 

All the knocks for each delay. 
While alas in vain I pleaded. 

For a milder, gentler way. 

Summer outings may have pleasure. 

For the wearer of these gowns, 
I am burdened, bruised to carry. 

Which have cost me many wounds. 
As for me my garret corner. 

Free from fate's unlucky star. 
Better far than pleasure venture, 

In a crowded baggage car. 
If one craves such wondrous pleasure, 

Him from this Td not debar. 



48 LYRICSOFLIFE 



O, ye folk of wealth and fashion, 

FHtting o'er the land and sea, 
Ease the loads of burden-bearers. 

Who are kin humanity. 
Tender thoughts for weary mortals. 

Worn and sad by toil and care, 
Christ demands of His disciples. 

Who would His compassion share, 
And enjoins a like compassion, 

If His name and mien they bear. 



TO A SKULL 

^^^HY halls are grim and ghastly, 
^1, Untenanted and bare. 

And when I ply my questions. 
There's naught but vacant stare, 
And in this dingy palace, 

Where once there was a throne. 
Spiders their webs have woven. 
All o'er its silent dome. 

'Tis here where subtle fancies. 
Wove wierd and mystic dreams, 

Like evanescent baubles, 
Upon the rippling streams, 

That shook and rolled thy castle. 
The lone and dreary night, 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 49 



While plying their delusions, 
To put thy guests to flight. 

Why all this desolation, 

Who ruined this noble pile? 
Did some strange demon enter. 

Who did its lord beguile? 
Who lured him from his castle. 

Where with a master-hand, 
He held in sweet subjection, 

The slaves at his command? 

'Twas here perchance ambition, 

May-hap to selfish ends, 
Bound heart and soul together, 

That oft to ruin tends. 
Perhaps some alien stranger, 

Who in the guise of friend. 
Was courted by the ruler. 

Who brought untimely end. 

Far otherwise ; I'd rather, 

Think noble thoughts were born, 
Within these sacred chambers. 

Which hath to virtue sworn, 
That nursed the ways of goodness, 

That fostered truth and right. 
That waged some manful battles. 

And never lost a fight, 



50 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Which by a christian valor, 
Achieved the best renown, 

And with a Hfe well rounded, 
Have lastly won a crown. 

What'er thy walls have witnessed, 

No trace I here behold, 
Of scenes in secret conclave, 

Which ne'er can all be told; 
It will be well to ponder. 

And truths like this to learn. 
That as from dust thou'rt builded. 

To dust thou shalt return. 
Though what the fates decree thee. 

Thy tenants who have flown. 
Shall in the end be summoned. 

To reap what they have sown. 



THE UPLIFT OF SONG 

^C ET us sing when the burdens are 
J^ pressing. 

For the song will lighten the load, 
Though the journey looks long and dis- 
tressing. 
It ends at the Father's abode. 
And the soul when cast down in its sorrow, 
Will find an uplift in its song. 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 51 



And longing for the dawn of the morrow, 
The music will bear us along. 

Like the fragrance of violets, stealing 

On the air of the early Spring, 
Music, the love of heaven reveaUng, 

Will sweetness of joy with it bring. 
For heaven drifts down to us mortals be- 
low, 

On the magical wings of song. 
And mellows the soul, in its joy and woe. 

When its chimes their music prolong. 

There's a sweet chord in the heart that 
gladdens. 
When attuned to the key of love. 
That throws light through the darkness that 
saddens. 
As if rays of light from above. 
So when the heart is weary and despond- 
ent. 
Let us sing for comfort and cheer. 
For though weak we may be, and depend- 
ent, 
True help we will find lingers near. 



52 LYRICS OF LIFE 



THE OTHER SHORE 

^^Y^ HERE'S a breadth to our horizon, 
£1 Of illimitable space, 

^"^ Its boundaries are those only, 

Which the eyes of faith can trace, 
By and by will be unfolded. 

What we never knew before. 
Just across the billowy waters. 

When we reach the other shore. 

Our trials are oft distressing, 

Giving cause for anxious fears. 
But the covenant bow is o'er us. 

Through the bright and stormy years, 
When waves roll high we remiember. 

There's rest for the soul in store. 
For what though the sea be troubled. 

There's peace on the other shore. 

Far away beyond the shadows, 

To the land of blissful rest. 
By and by the tide will bear us. 

Where we long to greet the blest. 
Through the glimmering dawn of morning, 

While the waves yet round us roar. 
We shall see a loving beckon. 

As we near the other shore. 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 53 



There enthroned, our Intercessor 

Who redeemed us with His blood, 
Will assure us of our ransom, 

And will stay us in the flood. 
Aye, among the loved, the chiefest, 

Is the Christ whom we adore. 
Who, with dear ones, stands to welcome, 

On that blissful golden shore. 



RECOLLECTIONS OF EARLY DAYS 
Suggested by a visit to the Old Homestead. 

jl^ROM the countless hidden chambers, 
II Of a richly furnished brain, 

^Xf Troop the memories, sweet and 
precious, 
In a ceaseless, mystic train. 
Which connect the past and present. 

By a chain of tested strength. 

With each link of sacred meaning. 

All along its unknown length. 

Lo; the scenes of early childhood. 
In all lines that light can give, 

Paint the canvas of our vision. 

And our memory makes them live, 

Live, and pass again before us. 
In the sweetness of their charms. 



54 LYRICS OF LIFE 



Making life so real and vivid, 
And its vagueness it disarms. 

When we linger round the threshold, 

Of our care-worn active life, 
In the memories of the homestead; 

Far from scenes of worldly strife, 
There we find our joys the sweetest. 

In each step of youthful tread. 
In the circle of the fireside, 

'Ere to cares our lives were wed. 

Time hath deepened our impressions. 

Like the streams their channels wear. 
As our thoughts these scenes encompass. 

Brooding o'er with miser care, 
Once again we live in fancy. 

In the maiden paths of life. 
Dreaming of our young adventures, 

'Ere commingHng in the strife. 

Every page of hearth-stone story. 

Wakes the memory into song, 
As we feel that those endearments, 

To our lives do still belong j 
Yes those haunts of pure affections. 

Where all hearts to each were sure. 
Furnish sacred, sweet reflections. 

Which in memory shall endure. , 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 55 



As we muse on fireside gatherings, 

Legends light that hearth again, 
CalHng back the saintly faces, 

Whose adieus gave saddening pain, 
Hence to link them in our memory, 

Heaven must share in homestead love. 
Thus sweet homes will type the pleasures. 

Of our Father's house above. 



STILL IN MY PRAYER 

^•ii^HINK you of a loving dear one, 
11 Who has shared your throne of 

grace. 
Whom you've borne in sweet petition. 

As you sought your Father's face. 
One who shared in all your blessings, 

One you thought you ne'er could spare, 
One who drew at all your heart-strings. 
And your love did gladly share? 

Then at last when at the altar, 

For this soul you could not pray, 
For these prayers were no more needful. 

Since that soul had passed away, 
You omitted intercession. 

With the Father as of old. 
For this soul so pure and saintly, 

Safely housed within the fold. 



56 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Shall you henceforth cease the mention, 

Of that dearest name in prayer? 
Nay! in sweet and precious memory, 

It may your devotion share, 
Thanking God for loves the sweetest. 

As your voice to Him you raise, 
Mingling with the altar's incense. 

Memory sweet with sweetest praise. 



THE MASTER HELPER 

mAIL, Thou, Sovereign Lord and 
Master, 
Bend us to Thy holy will, 
Rescurer from our dire disaster. 
With Thy life our natures fill, 
We would bow in deep contrition. 
Yielding to Thy sweet control. 
And fulfill each holy mission, 
Looking to the shining goal. 

Teach us by Thy sweet example. 

By Thy word our actions mould, 
Thus equipped with Thine own mantle 

We thine image shalt behold, 
We would heed thy every bidding. 

To the calls Thy love assigns. 
With a love, both strong and willing. 

Which our hearts to duty binds. 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 57 



Master, save us fromi temptations, 

Which seduce the mind and heart, 
Mould within us good intentions, 

And thy grace to us impart; 
Thus with Hfe divinely guided, 

And illumined from on high, 
We have helps by Heaven provided, 

Upon which our souls rely. 



DOUBT 

®FT a morn of promised sunshine, 
Turns to one of fog and gloom, 
What we deemed a day of gladness, 
Clothed with murky veil so soon. 
Thus we find in realm of reason. 

Tranquil mind despoiled of joy. 
As the doubts and dark misgivings, 
Enter with their grim alloy. 

Traitor Doubt is at the portal. 

When we think ourselves at rest, 
'Neath the roof of love's seclusion, 

Seeking entrance as a guest, 
Friendly counsels are the mission. 

Falsely claimed by traitorous foe. 
While he brings the bitterest torments. 

Through his fierce and deadly blow. 



58 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Faith in man once lost or broken, 

Paves the way for rage and hate, 
And old love now changed to venom. 

Fills the breast of friend or mate ; 
Naught we find in Doubting Castle, 

Save the pits of fear and gloom, 
Or perchance the dreamy spectres. 

Boding only pending doom. 

When the soul to doubt is driven. 

As to God and future hope. 
And beliefs and reason waver. 

Then in darkness we shall grope, 
We shall find ourselves then drifting, 

On the swell of angry wave, 
Without chart or pilot's compass. 

Or one friendly arm to save. 

Linger not in sceptic's chamber 

Sighs are born when truths we doubt, 
As the thoughts of treason enter, 

Safeguards of the soul go out. 
Human wisdom, man's devising, 

Oft is error and deceit, 
While divine unerring counsel, 

Fosters love and peace complete. 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 59 



HE LEADETH ME , 

^^ HERE'S naught, dear Lord, I crave 
II so much as this, 

Thy light, Thy love. 
Naught else unfolds the way to perfect 
bliss. 

To joys above. 

For guidance and with childlike trust I 
place 

My hand in Thine, 
That following in Thy lead may hope to 
trace. 

Thy life in mine. 

Then lead me on till perfect day shall shine, 

With Thee to bless, 
That radiance to my soul, and peace divine, 

Shall me possess. 

Meanwhile this way I may not understand, 

Now veiled to me, 
But through the maze if I can feel Thy 
hand, 

By faith I'll see. 

With Thy life and truth to illume my way, 

While here I roam, 
I'll bide the night secure till dawn of day. 

Then rest at home. 



6o LYRICS OF LIFE 



•ff 



MY CHOICE 

SEEK no home palatial, 

Where art hath done its best, 
And wealth's the sole ambition, 
And passport of each guest. 



Nor seek I thrones of empires. 
To wield the wand of power, 

To me these pale in contrast, 

With heart and soul's rich dower. 

Mine be the heart of loved-ones, 
The joys of soul and mind 

The wealth supreme, eternal, 
That ne'er to earth can bind. 



BOBOLINK 

mERRY songster, full of fun, 
Gayest romper 'neath the sun, 
In the mead thy joy we see. 
O'er the clover full of glee. 
Chatting without time to think. 
Bobolink, Bobolink. 

On the wing with twittering notes. 
Bantering mates with queerest jokes. 



FIRESIDE LYRICS 6i 



Thou art happy all the day, 
Romping, tumbling o'er the hay, 
And of wags thou art the pink, 
Bobolink, Bobolink. 

While the reapers toss the hay. 
Merry bobolinks at play. 
Cheer those busy laborers on, 
Bid their tire and plaint begone. 
Never let their spirits sink. 
Bobolink, Bobolink. 



AMONG THE HILLS 



AMONG THE HILLS 



MOUNTAIN CAROL 

Addressed to Mount Marcy, Adirondack 
Mountains 

y^^ RANDEUR and strength, thou 
\j(j Mountain King, 

^"^ Are gifts divine to thee; 
Ancient and exalted thy throne, 

O'erlooking cloud and sea ; 
Graceful rainbows arching thy brow. 

Girdle with light thy form. 
The vapory clouds, in queenly grace, 

With bridal veil adorn. 

Mountain King! 'mid clustering hills 

Homage to thee is meet; 
So flow'ring nooks and fertile vales 

Spread garlands at thy feet. 
The whispers of the forest pines, 

The shouts where echoes throng. 
The bubbling fount, the torrents wild, 

All join the homage song. 



66 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Foundations thine which stand so fast, 

Bolts of thunder defy ; 
Havoc of time and tempest blast 

Shall ne'er thy fortress pry; 
For, anchored in eternal rocks 

By unseen Hand Divine, 
And pillars reared, by skill untaught, 

Form bastion throne sublime. 

But He who bade thy ridges rise, 

To lift to skies their crest, 
He weighs thee in His mighty scales, 

And finds thee light as dust ; 
Yea, nations in His balance are 

As the small dust of earth ; 
The winds His breath in ev'ry storm, 

His single span their girth. 

The mountains His, the valleys, too. 

And yon blue temple dome; 
The altars for His praise are these. 

For Him upon the throne. 
Ye torrents sing, and mountain storm. 

Ye winds your chorus raise. 
All Nature's psalm in concert join. 

To fill the hills with praise. 



AMONG THE HILLS 6y 



FOREST REVERIE 

^\f\ OAMING 'neath the leafy bowers 
11% Where the Ughts and shadows 
play, 
In the wild-wood, where the flowers 

Strew their garlands by the way, 
We would linger with contentment 

Where the branches intertwine. 
Listening to the forest voices, 

As with echoes they combine ; 
Here we join in Nature's gladness. 

In the wooded, sweet retreat. 
Thinking o'er the gifts so wondrous, 

And our blessings so complete. 

By-and-by the Autumn cometh. 

Chilling with its icy breath. 
And the bloom of Summer endeth. 

As it feels the touch of death; 
Now we view with tearful sadness 

Frosted leaves, so sere and brown. 
Loosening from their native branches. 

And to earth come fluttering down ; 
Then to hills we lift our vision. 

In our saddened, lonely mood, 
Which we find more grand, inspiring. 

Than the leafy, whispering wood. 



68 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Thus the joys we deem the fondest 

Cluster closest round the heart, 
Till we find them evanescent, 

And no glimpse of God impart ; 
And as sorrows blight our prospects, 

And our Summers lose their bloom, 
While our thoughts grow graver, deeper. 

And our joys give place to gloom. 
Then we strain our farthest vision 

To some woeless, sweet retreat. 
And behold the fields Elysian, 

Where our life shall be complete. 



BEYOND THE SUNSET 

©'ER yon mount the hues of crimson 
Tell us of the day's decline, 
Clothing hills in radiant beauty 
As the lights and shades combine 
In their mellow, lambent touches. 

As the smiles of King of Day, 
Throwing us his sweetest glances. 
As he journeys on his way. 

O'er the lake the shimmering ripples 
Shine and shift in shreds of gold. 

Whispering tales through winged zephyrs, 
Which were by the Red-men told, 



am;ong thehills 69 



And as twilight dims and darkens, 
One by one the stars arise, 

And the crimson hues of sunset, 
Yield to lights that gem the skies. 

Thus the day its reign hath ended 

'Midst the glows of setting sun. 
Crowned with glory, as its daily 

Round of healthful work is done ; 
But the night is fleeting shadow, 

With the sunrise comes the morn, 
Gladdened with its risen glory, 

And that night of power is shorn. 

When the soul to rest is sinking, 

Seems it like the setting sun. 
Crowned with calm, celestial radiance 

When its earthly course is run; 
Resting but a night in shadows ; 

Waking in the early morn, 
Spanned with bow of sweetest promise, 

Aft the ceasing of the storm, 
Yes beyond ; O radiant morrow ! 

Endless day to soul new born. 

Lake Dunmorey Green Mountains. 



70 LYRICSOFLIFE 



THE HILLSIDE PATH 

^%C EAD us away in the mountain still- 
Jlj ness, 

Under the shade of his dusky 
brow; 
Give us glimpses of the willowly vistas, 

Whose charms, with joy our hearts endow. 
Away by the hillside's gushing fountains, 

Where the waters laugh from fall to fall, 
Kissing the light with their glinting ripples, 
Or lingering beneath the rocky wall. 

Through the sweet vale of the spongy 
mosses, 
Soft and silky to the wanderer's tread, 
Under the sun-kissed lacy foliage. 

Where the wooing lights and shadows 
wed, 
In the dark wood of deepest seclusion, 

'Neath stiller skies that overbrood, 
Where freedom we'll find from cares and 
worries. 
And rest in the deeper solitude. 

Bring in the airs of hills and forests, 
Laden with odors of fir and pine ; 

The elixir of pure celestial compounds 
Send to us fresh and sweeter than wine ; 



AMONG THE HILLS 71 



With the lullaby song of running waters 
Soothe into rest our throbbing powers ; 

With the sportive mirth of woodland song- 
sters 
Lighten and gladden these hearts of ours. 

Thence to the open and far-off ranges 

Of vision, that spans the distant hills, 
Bringing the soul the temper of triumph. 

Forgetful of sad and clustering ills ; 
Bring us the purple of mountain sunsets, 

The tints of beauty and lines of grace ; 
The joy of the visions, love inspiring. 

Will all the gloom of the day efface. 

Lead us along as the twilight deepens. 

Through new-shorn meadows of wither- 
ing hay, 
Exhahng the sweet diffusive incense 

Upon the air of the lingering day. 
In the sweet hush while nature is kneeling, 

To the altar of worship we'll come. 
And the twilight hour of solemn stillness 

Shall bring us the thoughts of peace and 
home. 

Lead us in view of the sunset glories 

That gild the lake and mountain and sky, 

For the gates of light shall ope to us visions 
Of the beautiful city on high. 



^2 LYRICSOFLIFE 



So the paths of Hfe through field and forest, 

Where in duty or pleasure we roam, 
Shall bring us in touch with the great Crea- 
tor, 
And hint the grandeur and glories of 
home. 



SEA OF GALILEE 

©THOU inland Sea of beauty, 
Basking 'neath these honored hills, 
In the memory of His presence. 
Who loved to heal all human ills^ 
Brighter than thy gilded surface, 
Shall thy sacred memories be, 
And thy waters long shall woo us, 
O sweet Galilee. 

All the Master's loving mission, 

Hath upon thy spirit pressed 
Thoughts, which like the Vesper paeans, 

Linger in the saintly breast. 
Mindful of His gracious presence. 

On the sea in welcome guise. 
Or the stilling of the tempest. 
In a glad surprise. 

Galilean shores and mountains, 
Ye have heard the steps of time, 



AMONG THE HILLS 73 



How these pathways of the Master, 
Thrill the heart of every clime, 

How entrancing and inspiring, 
These, the tracks of Jesus' feet, 

And the records of His journeys, 
How serenely sweet. 

Ah, blue waters, bright, historic, 

More thy charms than Nature brought. 

More than compass artist's vision. 
Or comprising sage's thought, 

For a Presence here renowned thee, 
Not that graced thy shores alone. 

But a power and Presence world-wide. 
Seen, and felt, and known. 



SUNSET AT THE LAKE 

m USING by the summer lakeside. 
As the sunshine seeks repose, 
Lo, we see how in reflections. 
Lights and shades their charms disclose, 
In idyls of passing beauty, 

Mirrored in the lake at will, 
Where in sunset's sweet refulgence, 

Nature claims unrivalled skill, 
Scenes where light and darkness rival, 
In their wiles and for control. 



74 LYRICSOFLIFE 



And the dreams of life celestial, 
Rise and linger in the soul. 

As the kissing mists of twilight, 

Steal across the slumbering sea, 
And the light in purple chariots. 

O'er the mountain summits flee, 
We embrace this balmy silence, 

As an holy trysting time, 
Longing for some far-ofif whisper. 

As an upper vesper chime. 
Thus communing while we linger, 

Burdens fall and tumults cease. 
And we drink in fullest measure, 

Nature's own exceeding peace. 

Author of our gladsome visions. 

Knowing that Thy presence fills. 
With Thy light and sweet creations. 

The surroundings of these hills. 
Thee we offer our devotions. 

In the lap of this sweet day, 
And would at these twilight vespers. 

Lift to God a pleasing lay, 
While anon the beckoning symbols. 

Now engage our longing view. 
Of the grander scenes celestial, 

'Yond the purple and the blue. 

Lake Mendota, Wis. 



AMiONG THE HILLS 75 



MOUNTAIN ALTARS 

0| N the stillness of the forest, 
11 Where we fondly roam, 

Nature spreads her charms before uh, 
While we muse alone. 
Here we breathe the stronger, freer. 

For her breath so sweet, 
Shrines we find for purest worship. 
In this sweet retreat. 

In this grand, majestic temple. 

Reared by hands unseen, 
God adjoins the kneeling suppliant, 

'Neath the foHage green. 
And through branch-enwoven skylight. 

Sends His light of love, 
From yon dome, so grand, eternal, 

Like His home above. 

Man needs not a surpliced canon, 

Or a sweet-voiced choir. 
To invest the soul with worship. 

Or with hope inspire. 
In the lone primeval forest. 

At the rustic shrines. 
With his inner spirit kneeling, 

There sweet peace he finds. 



y(i LYRICSOFLIFE 



With our spirits ever yearning, 

For more light within, 
Church, or home, or forest altars. 

Are the same to Him, 
If we seek for truth and wisdom. 

And all error scorn, 
He will with his gracious mantle. 

Sincere lives adorn. 

Music of His own sweet songsters. 

Fill these vaulted naves, 
Mossy rug of Persian richness, 

All our pathway paves. 
Fragrance sweet as Eastern perfumes, 

Scent the wafted air, 
And the jewels of the mountain, 

Pave the chancel stair. 

Ah, dear wild-wood, sweet and healthful, 

Hold us to thy heart, 
And thy fragrant, ozone tonics. 

To our lives impart. 
So our hearts shall beat the freer. 

For the mountain air. 
We have breathed as holy incense, 

In a constant prayer. 



AMIONG THE HILLS ^^ 



JOY OF THE HILLS 

^^ WEET are the visions of grandeur, 
^^▼J Where the mountains are kissing 

the skies, 
Where vales of unrivalled beauty, 

Ope vistas of sweetest surprise, 
These visions of Nature's glories. 

As they charm the heart with delight. 
Awaken the soul to music. 

And put worry and gloom to flight. 

Drinking the breath of the mountains. 

Listening to the prattle of brooks, 
While cheered by the notes of song-birds, 

Away in the leaf-curtained nooks, 
The cares and troubles of Hfe-work, 

Are barred from the chambers of mind, 
And all unwelcome intruders, 

That cumber the soul left behind. 

Up in the heart of the mountains, 

Where the breezes are pure and sweet, 
The heart with new vigor pulsates. 

And siren has easy defeat. 
Here the care-worn from life's battles. 

Newly girded grow hale and strong, 
Thus the soul with impulse quickened. 

Is inspired with hope-given song. 



78 LYRICSOFLIFE 



By faith our vision is lengthened, 

To gaze upon the hills of God, 
The heights by the eye undescerned, 

Nor by the feet of mortals trod. 
True there's darkness in the valley, 

But on the river's farther side, 
As the gates of light swing open. 

We see the hill-tops glorified. 



MY FOREST SHRINE 

•y^lYf^ HILE I ramble 'neath the 
LMlll shadows. 

Of the wild, enchanted wood, 
Here I see unrivalled genius. 

That is rarely understood. 
Sketches from our Father's pencil. 

That abash all human skill. 
As adornments of His temple, 

While sweet blessings they fulfill; 
In this oldest house of worship. 

Haply may there fall to me. 
Tokens of His gracious presence. 

Welcome, as on Gallilee. 

Finding here the wood so restful. 

Still and solemn everywhere. 
Nature bowed in sweet devotion. 

Kneeling at her evening prayer, 



AMONG THE HILLS 



79 



Can / fail to find an altar, 

Underneath these sombrous pines, 
Where my soul shall be in concert, 

With the forest's solemn chimes, 
And meanwhile a voice celestial, 

Through the sunlight from above. 
Breaking through the leafy skylight. 

Whispers to me, God is love. 



FOREST VOICES 

BT the lake-side as we gather 
On the margin of the wood, 
The enchantments of the forest 
Promise joy and restful good; 
And while 'mid the scenes of nature 

Hear we still in voices clear 
Calls to kindly. Christian duty, 

As were taught by sacred seer; 
Every voice around, above us, 

Tells us ne'er from stress to swerve. 
While engaged in work or pleasure. 
Human life was made to serve. 

Through the green-arched aisles before us. 
Wafts the breath of fir and pine. 

With elixir more life-giving 
That the oldest, richest wine, 



8o LYRICS OF LIFE 



Speaking through the rustling zephyrs, 

Through the forest's leafy lips, 
Whispering calls to loving duty. 

While with health our frame equips; 
E'en the echoes of the mountain, 

With unfaltering, speedy nerve. 
Answer from their dark seclusion. 

Human life was made to serve. 

Now the witchery of the streamlet. 

Singing in its merry flow. 
Waves its beckoning, crystal fingers. 

We must gladden as we go. 
When beside the lake we wander, 

Laughing waves our presence greet, 
Hastening on their ceaseless mission. 

Voicing cheer to all they meet; 
And, as pensively we listen, 

As they round each rocky curve. 
These the words the ripples utter. 

Human life was made to serve. 

And as night in jeweled beauty 

Climbs athwart the eastern sky, 
Dreamy visions seem to whisper, 

There's a sweeter by-and-by ; 
And as vespers of the twilight 

Lead the soul to holy calm, 
In its worshipful devotion, 

Life becomes a sacred psalm; 



AMONG THE HILLS 8i 



While from jeweled arch above us, 
AH the stars without reserve 

Join in praising Our Redeemer, 
As the Master whom we serve. 



THE MOUNTAIN STREAM 

^ff^ ORN in high, untrodden regions, 
Ifj Cradled in an unseen fount, 

In the pure and crytal sweetness, 

Leaping down the craggy mount; 
Mountain stream! thy notes entrancing. 

Charm the young impressive heart, 
Leaving vague, unsound impressions. 

Which thy gleesome ways impart. 
Skipping through thy winding pathways. 

Laughing in thy dancing glee, 
Dreaming now in mossy eddies, 

On thy journey to the sea. 

Well may life be full of gladness, 

Rugged though thy pathway be, 
Nature smiles and proffers blessings. 

Leaving will, untrammeled, free; 
Here the sunlight gilds thy ripples. 

Here the shady bowers bend. 
Here the streams of kindred fountains 

Forces to thy powers lend. 



82 LYRICSOFLIFE 



In the leafy wood above thee, 

Merry songsters cheer thine ear, 
Nature gladdens all thy movements, 

In thy boundless, long career, 
Till thy gateway to the ocean. 

Checks thy gay, unsteady gait. 
Deeper, broader, now thy channel. 

Graver, musing o'er thy fate. 

Human-life, divinely moulded. 

Launching forth in untried ways. 
Misinterprets life's full meaning. 

By its merry, giddy lays. 
With a mission, grand and holy. 

With a destiny sublime. 
Life means more than dancing, singing. 

Through a soft and sunny clime. 
Widening, deepening in its progress. 

Like the stream to boundless sea. 
Human-life now grasps its purpose. 

Forecasts its eternity. 



AMONG THEHILLS 83 



ALPINE CAROL 
Addressed to Mount Blanc 

mONARCH of all this giant throng, 
Thou dost with ease survey, 
With boundless gaze the hills 
and seas, 
And boldest them at bay. 
No avalanch disturbs thy rest. 

Thou heed'st no stormy blast, 
And as the lightenings strike thy breast, 
They turn from thee aghast. 

Thy beething cliflfs, sublime domains. 

Thy cateracts in play, 
Thy pillared gates, thy dizzy heights. 

Look whereso'er we may. 
Inspire the soul in solemn muse. 

Pensive of the divine. 
As we in thought in vision roam, 

The heights we cannot climb. 

Thy high and hoary crest looks out 

Above each frowning peak, 
Above the clouds thy vision soars. 

Too proud, too stern to speak. 
Too grand on thy palatial throne. 

In thy celestial heights. 
For man thy storied courts to tread, 

Or share thy glorious sights. 



84 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Beyond yon blue and starry dome, 

The future home of man, 
Bright glories of a shining realm. 

Unfold for thee to scan. 
Thou see'st perchance the matchless Hand 

That paints the sunset sky. 
That reared thy mighty mountain throne. 

And has His own on high. 

Ah, Mountain King, a right supreme, 

Beyond thine own we see. 
Before the mountains forth were brought. 

Before yon crystal sea. 
For Him we first attune the lyre. 

To hymn our sweetest lays. 
And ask your storms and torrents wild, 

To voice the song we raise. 



IN THE WILD-WOOD 

C^IYf^ HILE within the wild-wood 
^j^i chambers, 

On my mossy couch I lie. 
Looking through the fleecy cloudlets, 

To the far etherial sky, 
Methinks I scan some sweet prospective, 

And in musings love to trace, 
My creator, source and future, 
In sweet Nature's changeful face. 



AMONG THEHILLS 85 



And descry some weal and portion, 
Far beyond yon temple dome, 

Sweeter than the Summer fragrance, 
In the love and light of home. 

When I tread the fragrant meadow. 

When I climb the mountain stair. 
When I breathe the air so balmy. 

And 'tis mine in them to share, 
God be praised for unlocked treasures, 

In the world without, within, 
Riches of God's grace and bounty, 

If we only trust in Him, 
Broadcast in the fields of nature. 

Stored up in His jeweled case. 
Yet to all so free and lavish. 

Who will seek His boundless grace. 

In the eve the radiant sunset. 

Opes her shining gates of gold, 
And each gilded cloud that wanders, 

Seems a chariot to the fold. 
Thus when life has reached its sunset. 

In the hours of golden dew 
May the heavens, all streaked with glory. 

Blend their sweetest hoHest hue. 

Let us live with God in nature, 
Holding converse with the pure, 



86 LYRICS OF LIFE 



And this radiant peopled stairway, 
With new glory will allure, 

And the mystery of the future. 
Will unfold in cloudless light. 

And the weal of trysting children, 
Be supremely sweet and bright. 



MY MOUNTAIN HYMN 

HMID the everlasting hills. 
In wild-wood reverie. 
My soul in reverent frame of mind, 
Would Nature's altars see, 
And on her consecrated ground. 

Teeming with the Divine, 
Would send adoring incense up 
From every mountain shrine. 

Awake my soul from' passive praise. 

Awake with voice and song. 
And echoes of the mountain gorge. 

These anthems will prolong, 
Ye wooded vales, and rocky cHffs, 

Come join my hymn of praise. 
And let our blending notes arouse, 

The forest's trackless maze. 

Ye torrents wild, from cataracts. 
While leaping here and yon, 



AMONG THE HILLS 87 



And dancing o'er these giddy heights, 

And bidding fear begone, 
Let your vivacious spirits blend, 

Harmoniously with mine, 
As from these lofty mountain shrines. 

We praise the Hand Divine. 

Methinks the symphony of praise. 

Is in the mountain air. 
And from the forest-altars rise, 

The sweet incense of prayer, 
In cadence of the whispering pines, 

A solemn hymn is sung, 
A voice has each refreshing breeze. 

Each dancing leaf a tongue. 
And lofty peaks that kiss the sky. 

Each wild and hidden dell. 
All sing of their Creator King. 

And of His wonders tell. 

There is no place of solitude, 

That breathes no hymn of praise, 
No pause is there of melody. 

Through all the lonely maze; 
For never once did listening hills, 

Find Nature's harp unstrung, 
For one eternal hymn is voiced, 

To God, the Holy One. 

Adirondack Mountains. 



88 LYRICSOFLIFE 



FOREST DREAMING 

/^ TROLLING 'mid the freckled shad- 
^LJ ows, 

Playing through the enchanted 
wood, 
Tranquil joy my soul possesses, 

In its dreamy solitude. 
In my ear the warbling chewink, 

Pours his notes so sweet and clear, 
Tilting on the swinging branches. 

With a heart that knows no fear, 
While the shimmering sheen of sunlight, 

O'er the leafage casts its gleam. 
This is tranquil rest-idylic, 

Thus to muse and idly dream. 

Through the chinks of lacy foliage, 

Peers the soft imperial blue. 
Winning from these earth-born glories. 

Faith's undimed celestial view, 
Rapt enchantments, sweet fruition. 

Crown this evanescent scene, 
There no clouds from sloughs of anguish. 

Ever rise to intervene. 
This is rest unbroken, perfect. 

Active life devoid of tire. 
Sweet enrichment, grand enlargement. 

Where no ills to vex, conspire. 



THE ADVENT 



THE ADVENT 



THE SONG OF THE ANGELS 

Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good 
will toward men. Luke ii, 14. 

SWEET is the music from the mid- 
night skies, 
When the song of the angels is 
sung, 
The celestial choir is the shepherd's sur- 
prise. 
And the resonance of joy through the 
Orient flies, 
"Glory to God," for the Christ hath come. 

We hallow the day by the prophets fore- 
told. 

The day of the ages looked for long, 
The dawn and the brain of the age of gold, 
Wherein is fulfilled the sweet story of old, 

For "peace on earth" is the angel's song. 

It is dawning, the Christ-child ushers the 
light. 
To girdle the years of doubt and wrong, 



92 LYRICSOFLIFE 



While the woes of strife have scattered 

their bhght, 
And warriors their conquests have noised 

with dehght, 
"Good-will to men" is the angel's song. 

Adown the ages the evangels proclaim, 

The yule-tide of joy to the old and young 
Doubts of sweet promise shall no longer re- 
main, 
And the world shall paean its gladsome re- 
frain. 
When the song of the angels is sung. 

CHRISTMAS LAYS 

4^1^ ECALL the glad, eventful night 
IrV Wherein was born the Prince of 

Light, 

And tune the harps of praise 

In homage of our Saviour King, 

W^hile heaven and earth unite to sing 

Our joyous Christmas lays. 

That night when Bethlehem's star-lit plains 
Resounded with angelic strains, 

That peace to earth had come — 
A peace that o'er the earth should reign, 
While gospel light and song proclaim 

Redemption's victory won. 



THE ADVENT 93 



Than all events more joyous far, 

Was that announced by Bethlehem's star, 

That Christ the Lord was born; 
No sweeter strains from heaven began 
Than those which hymned good will to 
man 

Upon that Christmas morn. 

Immanuel, who was oft foretold 
Would come to ransom, and enfold 

Poor sinners such as we, 
As God in man the new-born King 
Was come by birth and death to bring 

Salvation full and free. 

Ye winds and waves the tidings bear. 
Of love divine, by grace we heir, 

'Till earth's remotest bounds 
Re-echo with the yule-tide thrill, 
Glory to God, to man good will, 

And life with love resounds. 



THE OLD AND THE NEW 

^•i^HE Old and the New come together 
^\ to-day. 

In memory, in hope and in song. 
For these all commingle in the yule-tide 
ray, 



94 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Since the birth of the Christ-child hath 
opened the way, 
For the pardon of sin promised long. 

The year has rolled round with its burdens 
and songs, 
And the Hngering burdens of the New, 
Suggest to us fields for suppression of 

wrongs, 
And to Christ-life effort, this mission be- 
longs, 
For the good of a future in view. 

The angel of mercy his pinions has spread, 

With the gentlest and sweetest of care. 
And in the green pastures our feet He has 

led, 
And opened rich graneries which so amply 

have fed. 
For Heaven has always enough and to 

spare. I 

The past is with us in memory alone, 
The moments we can never recall. 
But how we can best for our errors atone. 
And move in the circles of the yet un- 
known. 
Are lessons of wisdom for us all. 



THE ADVENT 95 



The future unfolded, is not ours to read, 

But our mission is clearly revealed, 
How with faithfulness and zeal our lives 

we must lead. 
In advancing the truth, in scattering the 
seed. 
With the heart of mankind as the field. 

With the voice of the Christ-child, inspiring 
with hope. 
And the song of the angels to cheer. 
With missions of love and good will let us 

cope, 
Till the gates of light to the faithful shall 
ope, 
Then Heaven shall crown a Happy New 
Year. 



THE YULE-TIDE ,OF JOY 

^>^ WEET are the memories that ac- 
^1 tively play. 

At the yule-tide of song and of 

joy; 

The birth of the Christ-child ushers the 
day, 
When redemption doth darkness de- 
stroy; 



96 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Day of deliverance of captives in sin, 

And the new dawn of light and of peace, 
Day of promise that the crown we may win. 

When the strifes that try us shall cease; 
Then hail we this day of gladness and joy, 

And join in the angels' love-song. 
Devoting our powers in sweetest employ, 

Which to "God in the highest" belong. 



EASTER 



EASTER MESSAGES 

B ASTER bells, ring out the gladness 
Of this hallowed Easter morn, 
To proclaim triumphant message. 
Death and grave of power shorn; 
Easter music, rich and joyous. 

Swell your notes in sweetest strains. 
Sing of resurrection glory, 
Not a note of sad refrains. 

Easter blossoms, breathe your fragrance. 

Life and beauty reign to-day. 
Let the smiles of nature's gladness j 

Every thought of gloom allay; 
Let the resurrection story 

Emanate from bloom and brain, 
Let the Risen Saviour's glory 

Spread abroad o'er hill and plain. 

Dear Redeemer, death's dethronement, 
Thine it was to undertake, 



100 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Risen Jesus, Master, Hail Thee! 

Thou the bars of death did'st break; 
Yes that first bright Easter morning, 

Tells of triumph o'er the foe. 
Saints now share a life immortal, 

Paradise without a woe. 

Resurrection, Hallelujah! 

We our Easter anthem sing, 
Life immortal, death's destruction. 

By the Victor, Immanuel King; 
Bow of brightness spans the valley. 

And the gloom of death's dark shade, 
Easter chimes prelude the raptures 

Of the joys that never fade. 



EASTER JOY 

^^ OY of the Spring-tide, 
-♦" Feast of the holy, 

V-F Memorial of the opening tomb, 
Easter the fairest. 
Teeming with gladness. 

In hearts shall find worshipful room. 

Fair are the Hlies, 
Sweet all the flowers, 
Gathered for the house of the Lord, 



EASTER loi. 



Sweet are the anthems, 
Joyous the music, 
That with heart-strings sweetly accord. 

Risen Lord Jesus, 

Ruler of nature, 
Born to redeem, risen to save, 

Ask of the monster. 

Where death is thy sting? 
And where thy victory boasting grave? 

Life for the ransomed, 

Quickened, immortal, 
We claim through the Christ revealed word, 

Thine be the glory, 

Alleluiah, Amen, 
Our risen Redeemer and Lord. 



XL 



TRIUMPHANT LIFE 



RIUMPHANT Life, O conquered 
grave ! 



Upon thy portal stands. 
Revealing power from heaven to save, 

While loos'ning death's cold bands. 
Yield now thy prey, nor ever claim 

Thy final right to man. 
Corruption, can no power attain, 

To thwart the Heaven-laid plan. 



I02 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Glad Easter morn; thy hallowed dawn 

Proclaims the risen Lord, 
Death, by life, of power shorn. 

Hath sheathed his deadly sword. 
Ye hosts of Hght, ye ransomed tribes. 

Rejoice o'er conquered strife. 
For Christ hath risen, and man shall rise. 

To yon immortal life. 

The sting of death no more can harm., 

The grave, no victory win. 
For, thanks to God, the victor's charm. 

Is life, from death of sin, 
Our risen Lord hath ope'd the gates 

Of death, and glory too, 
And at the pearly portals waits, 

To pass His ransomed through. 



EASTER ODE 

B ASTER garlands, 
Easter garments, 
Easter blossoms. Oh how 
fair! 
Easter music, 
Easter lilies, 
Easter fragrance fills the air. 



EASTER 103 



Risen Jesus, 

Risen Master, 
To Thy praise our hearts attune, 

Risen sunHght, 

Risen glory, 
Gild afresh the Savior's tomb. 

Blessed glory, 

Blessed mansions, 
Now the Risen Son prepares; 

Blessed triumph. 

Blessed rapture. 
Now the saint exalted shares. 

Resurrection, 

Hallelujah, 
This our Easter glad refrain ; 

Glory, honor. 

Life immortal, 
Saints in Christ to this attain. 

EASTER GLADNESS 

Contributed by request for Easter Services of the 
Ocean Hill Reformed Church. 

€yi^€^ HY bow my soul in sadness, 
mJi mj J L In view of open tomb. 

For Easter morn of gladness 
Rolls back the doleful gloom; 
For Jesus, now triumphant. 
O'er last of dreaded foes, 



I04 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Inspires with hope exultant, 
And ebbs the tide of woes. 

Now gospel light is beaming, 

With resurrection glow. 
And with its radiant gleaming 

In dark abodes shall go; 
Shall bear a balm of healing 

To sick and sore in sin, 
To every soul appealing 

For health and light within. 

With love and praise abounding, 

For Christ our risen King, 
And temples all resounding 

With music's sweetest ring. 
We pray Our Lord victorious 

Now spread his blessed reign. 
That triumph may be glorious, 

And power supreme attain. 

Our life in Him immortal, 

O Death, now where's thy sting? 
Upon thy open portal 

The Victor's song we sing. 
From death and hell He ransomed. 

He gave His blood to save; 
The gates of Hfe He opened. 

We need not fear the grave. 

Tune of Mendelbras. 



OCCASIONAL POEMS 



OCCASIONAL POEMS 



THE DYING YEAR'S FAREWELL 

BH ! what is that deep and that solemn 
strain, 
Like the voice of the torrent's 
might, 
Or the plantive moan of the restless main, 

That comes through the wintry night? 
Listen to the wail of the wild-wind's sigh. 

In its far and fitful swell. 
For it breathes its sad and plaintive reply, 
'Tis the dying year's farewell. 

It sweeps over the fields, snow-clad and 
drear. 
Where the reaper's song was heard. 
Where harvests were filling the hearts with 
cheer. 
And bosoms with joy were stirred. 
But the song grows sad in the lone church- 
yard. 
Where hearts were bleeding and sore, 
Where memories linger in loving regard. 
For the loved that come no more. 



io8 LYRICSOFLIFE 



It floats o'er the ruins of deserted renown, 

Like the Simoon's fatal breath, 
Where cornice and pillar moss-covered, 
crown 

The footprints of time and death, 
And wakes in its tones the echoes of life, 

Where power in silence is shrined. 
Where scenes have been laid of victorious 
strife, 

That have left no trace behind. 

It rings through the marts where mammon 
is throned, 

Through the halls of wealth and power, 
It winds its way to the lone and disowned. 

In the hush of the dreamy hour, 
Precepts it teaches, and line upon line, 

Far better than tongue can tell. 
And lessons are learned of the fleetness of 
time, , 

By the dying year's farewell. 

And it tells of countries and oceans crossed, 

Of life in its busy round. 
Of the scenes and joys which the heart has 
lost. 

Of enduring pleasures found. 
For it speaks of a hope deep laid in the veil, 

Of joys by the Word made known, 
A hope that for safety will surely avail. 

When moored to our Father's throne. 



OCCASIONAL POEMS 109 



THE DAWN OF THE CENTURY 

^yy^ HE cycles of time are slipping away. 
tl Softly as an infant's dream, 

^^ With their solemn pace and their 

noiseless tread, 
To the mausoleum of centuries long since 
dead, 
Unchecked as the mountain stream. 

To make the child a man and man a child, 

The cycles their wheels revolve, 
Impressively marking the brawn and brain, 
With growth and decay and menacing 
strain. 
Which the fate of man involve. 

The century, complete by the rolling years. 

Is signal demanding haste, 
That with fervent zeal our work we per- 
form, I 
Before our powers are weakened and worn. 

That moments run not to waste. 

A few years only will witness our love. 
Why waste them in idle strife; 

Why trample the blossomis so rare and 
sweet. 

That bloom to gladden beneath our feet. 
On the rugged way of life. 



no LYRICS OF LIFE 



The century gone, the new one begun, 
Is the time for serious thought, 

That our movements we plan in sweet de- 
sign. 

After the will and the precepts Divine, 
Lest our lives be lived for naught. 



ARLINGTON 



Suggested by a visit to the National Cemetery at Ar- 
lington, Va., where are entombed over 20,000 of the na- 
tion's soldiers and officers. 



0| N memory of our soldier-boys, valiant 
11 and true, 

Ye breezes waft gracefully the Red, 
White and Blue, 

In your swift-winged chariot bear the in- 
cense of flowers. 

From gardens and fields o'er this broad 
land of ours. 

Not forgetting the graves of the unknown 
dead, * 

In wafting your fragrance, to their praise 
be it said, 



♦The remains of 2,11 1 soldiers, unidentified, were gath- 
ered from the battlefields of Bull Run and the rout© 
therefrom and were deposited in one grave in Arlington 
C«m«tery and a monument erected over.it by the nation. 



OCCASIONAL POEMS iii 



They were true to their country in woe as in 

weal. 
In devotion to which their blood was the 

seal. 

Sweet skies of the spring-tide, in your 
bright robes of blue. 

Shine tenderly here with your mellowest 
hue, 

Ye have witnessed these heroes through 
battle and strife. 

And lowered in sorrow at the ebbing of life. 

Now gracefully canopy their mounds 
where they sleep, 

And foster their loved ones who their mar- 
tyrdom weep. 

With blessings to the widow in her keen 
distress. 

To the childless parent and the fatherless. 

Shall our tongues be mute o'er the deeds 

they have wrought. 
Unmindful of the battles for the right they 

have fought? 
Can we ever forget these heroes who have 

bled ? 
Or with garlands of flowers their graves to 

spread ? 



112 LYRICS OF LIFE 



By their deeds of valor and their hves that 
now cease. 

By the harvest's full yield of a blood- 
bought peace. 

By a cause more glorious and greater than 
they, 

By our sires and our freedom we answer, 
Nay. 

Like the oak of the forest, deep-rooted and 
firm, 

Erect when its comrades are bending to 
the storm. 

So staunch for the right was our soldier- 
boys' stand, 

While marching abreast to the battles of 
our land, 

Unappalled by the danger, the hardship and 
pain. 

They reckoned each conquest for truth as 
their gain. 

Their watchward before them while fight- 
ing with their might, 

"Our Country and Liberty ! God for the 
Right." 



OCCASIONAL POEMS 113 



APOTHEOSIS OF THE NATION'S 
GRIEF 

At burial of President Wm. McKinley, 
Sept. 19, 1901. 

B STILLNESS grave, pervades the 
air, 
And Nature's pulse beats faint and 
low, 
While sepulture sad hearts prepare, 
For chief of mortals here below. 
For him, whose motive to fulfill, 

The wise decrees of Heaven's throne, 

Controlled each thought, and act, and will, 

And made his force and merit known. 

He lived to clutch the golden keys, 

That find their way to realms of fame. 
To execute the State's decrees. 

And policies of good to frame. 
So let the Nation's pulse go slow, 

♦And pause in honor of its chief, 
While all the people praise bestow, 

And shed the tears of world-wide grief. 

By virtue and religion swayed. 

At their behest each impulse bends. 



•All wheels of traffic were brought to a standstill at the 
moment he w«s lowered in the tomb. 



114 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Thus our chieftain wrought and prayed, 
To further good and righteous ends, 

And breasting well each tide of wrong, 
Their surges found him strong and brave 

Ne'er overwhelmed, nor borne along 
On ill-timed crest of popular wave. 

To mould his manhood true and strong. 

He sought out Heaven's high design, 
On scrolls of fame his deeds belong, 

Inspired and wrought by light divine. 
And thus God's nobleman was he. 

With heart and brain attuned by grace, 
Building for immortality, } 

Which hoary time can ne'er efface. 

The warrior chief with victories won, 

His prowess life in love lays down. 
And sweetly breathes, "God's will be 
done," 

And yields his throne for brighter crown. 
While all unite in firm decree. 

That meed of praise shall world-wide be. 
And dirges sweet to his memory. 

Shall be. Nearer my God to Thee, 
Nearer to Thee. 



OCCASIONAL POEMS 115 



THE SPAN OF LIFE 

As suggested by the Brooklyn Bridge 
crowds, morning and evening. 

^ OSTLING crowds, with steps all 
•^^ buoyant, 

^^ Press their way with eager pace, 

Hopes uncancelled, brains all scheming, 

For the mart or pleasure race. 
Eyes are bright with keen perception. 

Cheeks with health have ruddy glow, 
Plans and hopes inspire ambition, 

This is why they hasten so. 

All the morn they're marching onward, 

To the gay and busy marts, 
All intent on plans before them, 

How to play their various parts. 
Few to peace and rest returning, 

Few the homeward journey seek, 
Save where life has been discounted. 

Or where glow has left the cheek. 

Eve of life, the tide is turning. 

Crowds are now all homeward bound, 

Faces wan and steps all lagging, 
Weary with the busy round, 



ii6 LYRICS OF LIFE 



Turn to rest, substantial comfort, 
In the heart of love and peace, 

Worldly ways have ceased to gladden, 
Joys are sought which will not cease. 

Span of life, thou bridgest mortals. 

Through the morn to scenes of strife, 
There the soul to try its metal. 

There to gather strength for life, 
Span of life, as ends the battle. 

And the soul has braved its test. 
Thine to bridge it safely over. 

To its peaceful, saintly rest. 

PASSING 

HS silent and swift as a weaver's 
thread. 
The years and the cycles roll by. 
Writing the annals of living and dead, 

For the recording angel on high. 
Mayhap they were filled with gladness and 
song. 
Or too sad to solicit their stay, 
Their memories withal to the future belong, 
While slipping away, slipping away. 

The passage of years in their ceaseless 
course, 
Leave footprints on life of their pace, 



OCCASIONAL POEMS 117 



Weakening or withering its claims and its 
force, 
Suggestive of the end of its race, 
Ah, yes, the years have their strain and 
their weight, 
That must tell on the fair and the gay. 
But the tensions increase at evening late, 
While slipping away, slipping away. 

Ah, where are the friends, the many dear 
friends. 
That gladdened our hearts with their 
cheer. 
Here and there missing, their absence por- 
tends 
The fate of the leaf brown and sere, 
Quitting their places, their homes, and 
their tasks, 
What meaneth these changes we say, 
Yes, where are these friends each loving 
heart asks. 
Ah, slipping away, slipping away. 



Z 



OUR LOVING FATHER 

HANKSGIVING we offer Thee, 
Father of Lights, 
For sunshine and shadows and the 
visions of nights, 



ii8 LYRICS OF LIFE 


For the warmth and the glow to cheer the 


oppressed, 


And the Hght of Thy smiles, the sweetest 


and best. 


Thanksgiving we offer Thee, Father Di- 


vine, 


For the loves of our homes that our hearts 


entwine, 


For the church and the school to teach us 


Thy will. 


And the precepts of life which Thy words 


instill. 


Thanksgiving we offer Thee, Father of 


grace, 


For the stream of Thy bounties that flow- 


eth apace, 


For the harvests of plenty, the song and 


the feast. 


For fountains replenished and granaries in- 


creased. 


Thanksgiving we offer Thee, Father of 


Spirits, 


For love unbounded in all our demerits, 


For the sweet enrichments that compass 


the soul. 


That foster our efforts for reaching the 


goal. 



OCCASIONAL POEMS 119 



We hallow Thy name, Our Father in 

Heaven, 
And lift our hearts in daily thanksgiving. 
For the broadcast blessings all over our 

land, 
For infinite grace we cannot understand. 



OUR LAND OF LIBERTY 

j^ROM every temple of the free, 

II With organ peal of joyful trill, 

w Send forth the song of liberty, 

That shall resound o'er vale and hill. 
For cruel blight fromt tyrants chain. 
Shall never mar our land again. 

Our fathers fought for freedom's birth, 
For freedom's cause they bled and died, 

This heritage of priceless worth. 
Is sweeter far than all beside. 

Than empire, fame, or commerce fair, 

Or wealth of gold beyond compare. 

Shall light of freedom e'er grow dim, 
That should have set this world aflame. 

Nay; may this Hght its conquests win. 
For fetters grim, would be its shame. 

Let freedom's star then brighter grow. 

That nations shall our glory know. 



I20 LYRICSOFLIFE 



By memories of the sainted dead, 
That He upon our hearts so green, 

By all they did and all they said, 
In strong defence of right I ween. 

Let freedom's banner ever wave. 

O'er blood-bought land and patriot's grave. 

Let righteousness exalted be, 
That which a nation doth adorn, 

Let truth and law in majesty. 

Prevail, of every weakness shorn. 

So land beloved, thy bulwarks strong, 

Shall battle stoutly every wrong. 



A GOLDEN WEDDING 
♦flT^ OW thrills once more the lengthy 

Of memories sweetly sung. 
Old dreams come thronging back again. 

And life seems full and young, 
The years have never dropped their sand, 

With stint nor single stay. 
On mortal issues vast and grand, 

As seems to us to-day. 

In weal and woe, sunshine and storm, 
God*s bow of love has spanned. 



OCCASIONAL POEMS 121 



And crowned our lives with hopes new- 
born, 
That reach the Father-land, 
And light has mingled with the gloom. 

To compensate for grief, 
Through thorns of chastening mercies 
bloom. 
And bring a sweet relief. 

While shadows melt and fall apart. 

True substance round us lies. 
The Indian Summer of the heart. 

Is warm, as vernal skies. 
Thus founts of feeling still retain. 

Their. sympathetic flow, 
And early dreams were not in vain, 

Of fifty years ago. 

Still days are not as once they were. 

We cannot make them so. 
No step so spry, no cheek so fair, 

As in the long ago. 
But this is only outward form. 

For years must have their weight. 
But hearts once true at early morn. 

Are true at evening late. 

And heaven to us now seems more real, 
And faith has stronger grown. 

And love divine through woe and weal, 
True hearts can ne'er disown. 



122 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Ah well have we this hope in view, 
While creature dreams are slain, 

For hope and heaven forever true, 
Within our hearts remain. 

Memorial stones this day we raise, 

Of God's protecting care, 
And lift our Golden wedding praise, 

Up through the welkin stair. 
Grateful for the o'erflowing bowl. 

For health and friends and home, 
For the enrichment of the soul. 

And hope for boons to come. 



IN GOD'S VINEYARD 

Charge to a newly ordained minister. 

cyiyc^ ITH a conscientious purpose, 
mi m.\ J L Seek the Master's will each day, 
And in faithful zealous service, 
Do and dare as well as pray. 
Prayer and work are close handmaidens. 

In the vineyard whence we're sent. 
And shall be successful reapers, 
When employed with pure intent. 

Find a field where work is needed. 
Where good seed shall find good soil. 



OCCASIONAL POEMS 123 



There your faithful broadcast sowing, 
Shall repay you for the toil, 

For such sowing- God will nurture, 
With His smile and tender care, 

Making soil and seed responsive. 
When you supplement with prayer. 

Weeping, loving, working, praying. 

These shall ne'er be done in vain; 
When their fruitage is maturing 

To some soul's eternal gain. 
Yours shall be the great rejoicing. 

Which the deeds of love afford. 
As the harvest fields are ripening, 

For the garners of the Lord. 



SOUL OF THE SPRING-TIDE 

SOUL of the Spring-tide, with thy 
light and thy breath 
Bring warmth to the meadows, 
bring life out of death. 
Let the arteries of nature new impulses feel, 
As the south wind opens the Boreal seal. 
Bringing flowers and grasses to the gar- 
den and mead, 
And quickening energy to the newly sown 
seed. 



124 LYRICSOFLIFE 


Soul of the Spring-tide, in the light of thy 


smile, 


With the song of thy gladness our spirits 


beguile, 


And new life to our being shall thine ad- 


vent inspire, 


And cause the cold gloom of the soul to re- 


tire. 


For the touch of thy wings, the kiss of thy 


mouth. 


We wait for thy coming, soft wind of the 


South. 



The symbols and types of our destiny, wc 

see 
In the blooming of flowers, and the bud- 
ding of tree. 
The evangel of life thou proclaimest abroad 
Resurrection and life, by the power of God, 
Renewing the miracle, thy buddings un- 
fold. 
And remind us the stone from the sepulchre 
is rolled. 

Soul of the Spring-tide, let thine impresses 
be 

Warming and cheering to our cold human- 
ity. 



OCCASIONAL POEMS 125 



And the faith, that in coldness and darkness 

hath lain, 
Shall revive in its spirit of fervor again. 
And thy warmth to earth's coldness, thy life 

to this death, 
As love to the soul, with its vivifying 

breath. 



RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE 



POEMS OF RELIGIOUS AND 
SPIRITUAL LIFE 



UNTO THEE 

HS swift as couriers of the sky, 
In flaming chariots of the night, 
On errands in their orbits fly, 
Outstripping time on wings of Hght, 
So true and fleet in heart and mind, 

God, my soul to Thee should be, 
Then soaring upward, I shall find 

My resting place and home in Thee. 

Sweet are the murmurs of my lyre. 

That rise to God who bade them flow, 
Who did each strain with love inspire. 

And on them life and light bestow. 
But sweeter far the pledges sure. 

That from the throne descend to me. 
These from earth my soul allure. 

And turn my thoughts, O God, to Thee. 

True as the needle to the pole, 

To guide the sailor on the sea. 
So true to counsel and console, 

1 find, O Christ, Thou art to me. 



130 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Ah, Thee I find the Polar Star, 
In darkness, hope and light divine, 

There's naught so true, nor near, nor far, 
And so my spirit turns to Thine. 

Oh, would I could as freely rise, 

As leaves on autumn's whirlwind borne. 
Or flashing light on dawning skies, 

The gladsome harbingers of morn. 
That soaring I may search the space, 

Where from life's ills I may be free, 
O God, Thy secret resting place. 

Is only mine by finding Thee. 

MYSTERY 

^j^^ORBIDDEN deeps where mystery 
if lies, 

^^ Are sought, but fathomed not. 
For while the unexplored he tries, 

Man ne'er transcends his lot, 
His prying vision oft is veiled, 

When he regards it clear, 
Where even seraph's eyes have failed, 

And clouds have wrapped the seer. 

The light of reason's brightest spark, 

Is kindled all in vain, 
To trace those councils deep and dark, 

To none but heaven plain. 



RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE 131 



And thought is lost where none can soar, 

In realms beyond our ken, 
Which fond research caii ne'er explore. 

Too vast for finite men. 

The mystic gulf so deep and wide, 

By faith alone is spanned, 
For reason's might self-deified. 

Is naught but rope of sand, 
To span this dark and vast abyss, 

Where entrance dim is hailed, 
Man's reach of thought is quite amiss, 

Where much, though sought, is veiled. 

Though mysteries dark and manifold. 

Pervade our fondest dream. 
By lore divine, they're all unrolled. 

However strange they seem. 
The tangled skein in hands of One 

Who from beginning sees 
The end, shall as the woof is spun. 

Unravel all with ease. 

Through clouds of doubt and creeds of man, 

That weave the film of sight. 
Shall break a light so clear and calm, 

That truth shall have its right, 
A light, which shall of maze be shorn. 

Which in its glow outstrips 
The breaking of the golden morn. 

Of the Apocalypse. 



132 



LYRICS OF LIFE 



THE LAND OF SILENCE 

/^^ HERE'S a land of Silence unbroken, 
tl Its mysteries are hid from our 

view, 
And its secrets must remain unspoken, 

Till we pass the dark gateway thereto. 
But meanwhile our guesses are active, 
Its portals we press with our dreams. 
So impatient to see, 
What hereafter shall be. 
Far sweeter than glorified gleams. 

Our musings, though salient are baseless, 

We may reason as best we may. 
But while dreaming and guesses are fruit- 
less. 
Our faith has the eyes to survey 
This region of lovelier beauty. 
Than sages or poets can tell. 
And in longing and prayer. 
We are beginning to share. 
The home where the glorified dwell. 

While that beautiful realm is hidden. 

Its portals now standing ajar. 
Shall open to those that are bidden, 

To come under Bethlehem's star 



RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE 133 



And enter the mansions celestial, 
If cleansed by the blood of the cross, 

Where the mysteries unfold, 

And all life is pure gold. 
And naught of alloy or of dross. 

We hope by and by for fruition. 

When dreaming and guessing shall end, 
The fruitage of Christian tuition, 

Which the longings of faith portend. 

The rapture we're sure shall be thrilling, 

As transports of joy shall be known. 

With the glorified throng, 

In redemption's sweet song. 

When loved-ones we meet at the throne. 

ALL'S WELL 

^9y^ HE storms that rage with greatest 
tl force, 

^^ Are followed with a calm, 
The ills that seem without resource. 

Have oft a hidden balm. 
And souls weighed down with grim re- 
morse. 

May find a soothing psalm. 
Break forth my soul in song to own, 

A richer life through chastening grown, 
For wiser love severely kind, 

Shines clear as day to eyes once blind. 



134 LYRICSOFLIFE 



CHRIST THE MORNING STAR 

'T am the root and the offspring of David 
and the bright and morning star." — Rev. 
22:16. 

^^ HE night once dark and gloomy, 
11 With Israel's hope repressed, 

^"^ In Bethlehem's skies is breaking, 

And puts suspense at rest, 
Now dawn of peace is spreading. 

Its glorious light afar, 
And I see in the dawning. 

The bright and Morning Star. 

Immortal love ; how freely 

Thy streams flow out to me, 
A fulness as the ocean. 

The never ebbing sea. 
Henceforth in yonder city, 

The gates now stand ajar, 
And I see in the dawning, 

The bright and Morning Star. 

With light and love my beacon. 

And faith in things unseen. 
With heaven's portals opening, 

A welcome there I ween. 



RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE 135 



ril have no fear of crossing, 
When I have cleared the bar, 

While I see in the dawning, 
The bright and Morning Star. 



SERENITY 



CALM is the dawn without a sound, 
'Ere waking mortals move to 
strife, 
Calm is the breast in sleep profound. 
Unmoved by thrills of conscious life, 
But the peace of the soul at devotion's 

shrine, 
Kindled by the spirit of the Word Divine, 
Is a calm more tranquil than the dawn or 

sleep, 
Serene as the heavens and boundless as the 
deep. 

Calm are the seas in silvery sheen, 
When waves have swayed themselves to 
rest, 
But rest akin to a troubled dream. 

While storms and streams their bowels 
invest, 



136 LYRICSOFLIFE 



But the peace more serene, the infinite 
peace, 

Vouchsafed to the soul to abound and in- 
crease, 

Is the peace our Saviour bequeathed to His 
own, 

When bidding adieu to ascend to His throne. 

Calm and deep peace at twilight hour, 

Invest the hills, the vale and plain. 
While vespers as the shadows lower. 
Are whispered by the moaning main. 
But a peace more sweet at the altar is seen, 
In the soul enwrapped in devotion serene. 
With an incense sweeter than twilight ex- 
hales 
Where worship and faith with the Father 
prevails. 



THY WILL BE DONE 

^^ HOU Source of light and life, 
41^ Our strength in holy strife. 

To Thee we come ; 
For help from day to day, 
And checkered though our way, 
Confidingly we'll pray. 

Thy will be done. 



RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE 137 



Though flesh and heart be faint, 
Why should we make complaint, 

And feel undone, 
Since faith is Thy sweet gift, 
Above the storm we'll lift, 
Our prayers through murky drift, 

Thy will be done. 

Though dim, yet line by line, 
We trace Thy wise design, 

Thou wondrous One; 
With faith that present pain. 
Shall be eternal gain, 
We'll breathe the old refrain, 

Thy will be done. 

The rough and rugged way. 
Where duty calls to-day, 

We should not shun, 
Our feet may burn and bleed, 
Through thorn and rugged glebe, 
But in the blood we'll read. 

Thy will be done. 

When those to us most dear, 
Who gave us love and cheer, 

Their race have run ; 
We'll mourn what death hath wrought. 
But breathe as children ought. 
This prayer divinely taught. 

Thy will be done. 



138 LYRICS OF LIFE 



We would Thy calls obey 
Not yielding to delay, 

The tasks begun, 
And if in grace we grow. 
And serve Thee here below, 
'Twill be our joy to know, 

Thy will was done. 



OUT OF DARKNESS 

^y^ HIS earth is weighed down with its 
11^ burdens and wrongs, 

But an Arm is outstretched to up- 
hold, 
When the soul has been buoyed with its 

midnight songs, 
It evinces a mood that to Christ-life belongs. 
And has place in the good Shepherd's 
fold. I , 

Dark fall the shadows o'er the lonely and 
sad. 
And heavy are the burdens they bear, 
But the're rifts in the clouds and help to be 

had, 
In joyous uplift though conditions are bad, 
If we take to the Saviour our care. 



RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE 139 



To each lone pilgrim there's a rainbow of 
hope, 
That brightens the clouds of the storm, 
When we, through the mazes of darkness 

shall grope, 
The sunshine of faith and of gladness shall 
ope'. 
The bright gates of a glorified morn. 

The soul full of music, its paeans shall sing, 

To the tune of its ransomed delight, 
That to darkness and storm sweet comfort 

shall bring, 
Like news from the throne on a seraph's 
swift wing. 
In the radiance of heavenly light. 

There's a sunshine of hope and a welcome to 
all. 
Who listen to the voice from above, 
When the songs of sirens doth the heart 

enthrall, 
The Friend of the wanderer extends his 
sweet call, 
To the banqueting house of love. 



I40 LYRICSOFLIFE 



IN THY LIGHT 

''For with Thee is the fountain of life; in 
Thy light we shall see light." — Ps. 36.9. 

^M" IGHT of life, with wondrous heal 

Speed Thy chariot 'round the globe, 
And Thy boons to souls appealing. 

Shall bring joy to each abode, 
Light of them that sit in darkness. 

Bid the gloomy shadows flee. 
And through darkest vale of sadness. 

In Thy light we Hght shall see. 

On our souls cast down, dejected. 

Beam the radiance of Thy face. 
With Thy light and love reflected. 

We shall taste abounding grace. 
Life and love from Thee the fountain, 

Flowing to us full and free. 
Shall confirm this sacred mention. 

In Thy light we fight shafi see. 

When a veil bedims our vision. 

Which from gloomy doubts we weave, 

Let this be our wise decision. 
Ne'er Thy word to disbelieve. 



RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE 141 



Then, O Fountain of each blessing, 
We shall have new light from Thee, 

All our way be loving, trusting, 
In Thy light we light shall see. 

By and by, when to the Jordan, 

At our journey's end we come. 
Thou our Life, and Light, and Warden, 

Wilt conduct us to our home : 
Aft the crossing of the river, 

Turgent though that stream shall be, 
Scenes shall greet us where forever, 

In Thy light we light shall see. 



THE MASTER'S CHEER 

^^ HE world has been blighted with 
^1^ sorrows and sighs, 

But the Master has brought us re- 
lief. 
And the soul that resorts to the balm from 

the skies, 
Upborn in the buoyancy of hope, shall arise 
In the transport of christian belief. 

The sad and the weary have heard the glad 
call. 
Of the Master to come unto Him, 



142 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Twas the sunshine of hope and welcome to 

all, 
To the rich and the poor, the great and the 
small, 
Who the grace of the Master would win. 

For worn and lone pilgrims on life's weary 
way. 
Clear fountains their flood-gates shall 
ope, 
Whence the water of life to the soul shall 

convey. 
Sweet comfort and strength in the heat of 
the day, 
As a new inspiration to hope. 

There's sweetness of rest in the solace of 
peace. 
In the Master's pavilions of grace. 
Where the visions of joy and brightness in- 
crease. 
Since the thralldom of sin forever shall 
cease, 
While we basque in the smiles of His 
face. 



RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE 143 



THE SUPPLIANT 

cyi^M E plead, O Christ, Thy match- 
LM^l less grace, 

^■'^^'^^ That can, and will all sins ef- 
face, 
When'er Thy help is sought. 
Sinful and weak, to Thee we kneel, 
Our weakness is our strong appeal. 
When by repentance wrought. 

We come, confessing all our need, 
Nor trusting rite, nor word, nor deed. 

But in Thy grace alone, 
For by such matchless power to save. 
As lifted Lazarus from the grave, 

For sin Thou wilt atone. 

We wait to hear Thy word, forgiven. 
For then we know, the gate of heaven 

Shall surely to us op'e, 
The bells of joy, in heaven shall chime, 
When grace and power and love divine, 

Implant a blood-bought hope. 

Than these, no boons we covet more. 
Nor gold, nor gems, a boundless store, 

For in Thy word we find. 
The grant of grace a plentitude. 
Eternal love and Fatherhood, 

With untold wealth combined. 



144 LYRICSOFLIFE 



THE SURE REFUGE 
Psalm XCI 

f ^a^ EATH the shade of the Almighty, 
IhI In the realm of the Most 
■■ ^ High, 

We may find a secret fortress. 
Where for refuge, we may fly. 

When assaulted by the fowler, 
If we trust beneath His wing. 

By His truth, as shield and buckler. 
Sure deliverance He will bring. 

Midnight terror, noonday arrow. 

We shall have no need to fear, 
In the darkness, in the pestilence. 

With His promise God will cheer. 

Making God our habitation. 
We shall find in the Most High, 

Plague and harm shall not befall us, 
For the sheltering arm is nigh. 

Charge He'll give His holy angels. 
That they guard us all the day. 

In their hands they shall uphold us. 
Lest we stumble in the w-ay.. 



RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE 145 



Under foot fall, we may trample 

Adder, lion, dragon too. 
If we set our love upon Him, 

He will prove deliverance true. 

If to Him, we go in trouble, 
If for need, on Him we call. 

He will honor, He will succor. 
In our laps shall blessings fall. 



HYMN 
Of Christ's Outgoing Love 

SAVIOUR, to my heart most precious^ 
Thou the source of every good, 
Shalt be sought by countless mor- 
tals. 
When Thy love is understood. 
Love that to the erring floweth. 

In a pure unceasing stream. 
Bringing souls a priceless ransom. 
To restore and to redeem. 

Saviour, may Thy loving message, 
Offering succor broad and free, 

Come ye weary heavy-ladened, 
All ye burdened come to Me, 



146 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Find a welcome from the needy, 
And responses in each breast, 

And with burdened spirits Hghtened, 
They shall enter into rest. 

Saviour, with Thy love outreaching. 

And Thy earnest calls to grace, 
Wandering souls shall find sure refuge. 

When they turn to seek Thy face, 
Thus convoyed 'neath Thy pavilion, 

And assured of love divine, 
Life shall be both strong and fruitful. 

As the branches of the vine. 

Saviour, breathe Thy gracious spirit. 

Through the life and heart of all. 
Thus renewed in love and action, 

They shall answer to Thy call ; 
They shall be Thy message-bearers. 

Of Thy wondrous truth and light. 
And shall find Thy will their pleasure, 

And Thy service their delight. 



1[ 



CONFESSION 

'VE faith in Thee, Lord Jesus, 
My dearest Friend, 
Upon Thy love and succor, 
I can depend. 



RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE 147 



With precious blood, a ransom 

For me was paid, 
And on Thy spotless person, 

My sins were laid. 

I find my full salvation. 

Trusting in Thee, 
All, of Thy grace and mercy, 

So great and free. 

My hope now anchored firmly, 

Within the veil. 
Shall suffer no dethronement, 

When foes assail. 

The world is so much brighter. 

With One to love. 
Who proffers His sweet presence, 

And joys above. 

I'll trust in Thee, Lord Jesus, 

For evermore, 
For Thou wilt be my Pilot, 

To farthest shore. 



148 LYRICSOFLIFE 



THE POTTER'S WHEEL 

^yy^ HE Potter turns His faithful wheel, 
£1 To mould the plastic clay, 

In best design for human weal, 
That purpose grand, it may fulfill, 
And laws supreme obey. 

The Potter turns His faithful wheel, 

heart of mine be still, 

While loving touch of Hand Divine, 
Leaves trace in light or dark design, 
Subservient to His will. 

The Potter turns His faithful wheel. 

There's love in every round, 
He fashions in His faithfulness, 
With loving aim to help and bless, 

Though strokes may often wound. 

The Potter turns His faithful wheel, 

1 leave the shape to Him, 
One day I know He will explain, 

Why oft He wounds with grief or pain, 
Though now the reason's dim. 

The Potter turns His faithful wheel, 

The future to unfold, 
I cannot see beyond the now. 
To faith in Him, I can but bow, 

Till I His face behold. 



RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE 149 



The Potter's wheel in time shall show, 

''Whatever is^ is right," 
Thus Pope and we shall then agree, 
When hidden truths are ours to see, 

And faith is lost in sight. 



HYMN OF PRAISE 

EXTOL the Lord, our King, 
And loving homage bring. 
Our faithful Word, 
He guards us night and day. 
He listens when we pray, 
O then with sweetest lay, 
Praise ye the Lord. 

As ye his realms explore, 
His wondrous works adore, 

And tell abroad. 
What marvels He hath wrought. 
What mercies He hath brought, 
As word divine hath taught, 

Praise ye the Lord. 

When humbled in our pride. 
We kneel in tears beside. 
Our withered gourd. 



150 LYRICSOFLIFE 



His grace, He will impart, 
With strength for fainting heart, 
And while we feel the smart, 
Will praise the Lord. 

Our Christ the Son of God, 
Who bought with precious blood, 

Must be adored, 
What paeans to Him belong. 
From all the ransomed throng, 
Then with thanksgiving song, 

Praise ye the Lord. 



^ 



OUR MISSION 

ESUS gives us grace and guerdon, 
In our new-born life, 
And assures us strength to conquor, 
In the strife. 



When He sends us on a mission. 

Shall that mission fail? 
Nay ; true prayer, with work as zealous, 
Will avail. 

When the Holy Spirit guides us. 

In our thoughts and way, 
We may find a field of labor, 
Every day. 



RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE 151 



When with weeping we go forward, 

Bearing precious seed, 
We shall come with sheaves rejoicing, 
As our meed. 

In each conflict, blessed Master, 

As we do and dare. 
Thou wilt arm us, and our burdens 
With us share. 

Bid Thy guardian angels shield us. 

When the storm-clouds lower. 
And console us with Thy presence, 
Each dark hour. 

By and by as life is ebbing 

When our work's well-done. 
He will bid us come up higher, 
To our home. 



THE CHURCH ASSAILED 

^^ HE foes of Christ, His Church would 
11 wreck. 

By subtle unseen snares, 
But conscious, is His bride elect. 
That she His fortress shares. 



152 LYRICS OF LIFE 



The herald on her walls may warn, 

By sounding an alarm, 
But treason in her palace born, 

Lurks still to do her harm. 

Ye consecrated hosts, awake, 

To meet the sleepless foe, 
The posts of duty ne'er forsake. 

Nor e'er its joys forego. 

The King is jealous of His own, 
His church. His royal bride. 

Her works of love, through love alone, 
Are His peculiar pride. 



THE INFALLIBLE LEADER 

^m^ HOU Lord and Master of us all, 
41 We own Thy sovereign sway, 

When to Thy service Thou dost 
call. 
With haste we must obey. 
And from this calling to depart. 
Love scorns the recreant mind. 
With them who swerve we share no part. 
For laws divine must bind. 

Thou hast revealed the heart of God, 
The loving Fatherhood, 



RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE 153 



The way to life, by faith, if trod, 

Shall thus be understood, 
And when in faith, though weak it be, 

We seek, and search, and pray, 
Though else obscure, in Thee we see 

The Light, the Truth, the Way. 

While leaders fail, and systems fall, 

Thy Hght ne'er dims nor wanes. 
But with its glow illuming all, 

Eternal love remains. 
Deep strike Thy roots in human soil, 

Thou true and living Vine, 
Attempts are vain Thy power to foil. 

Though earth and hell combine. 

Our worldly gain is often loss, 

Our richest treasure Thou, 
The solemn shadow of Thy cross. 

Shall best our lives endow, 
If we Thy leadership espouse. 

This law we'll not disown. 
That he who loves, to service bows, 

Beneath the Cross and Throne. 

Thy precepts are our safest guide, 

Enforced by pattern pure, 
And though Thy foes. Thy works deride, 

Thy kingdom shall endure. 



154 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Enthrone Thyself and all Thy laws, 

In every hitman heart, 
Unloose our hold on worthless straws. 

And grace and truth impart. 

O Love ! Ineffable, divine. 

We love Thy saving name. 
The olive branch of every clime, 

The balm for every pain, 
A name as sweet and charming yet. 

As in Thy Galilee, 
Or on Thy chosen Olivet, 

Where love enveloped Thee. 

When in the shadows of the vale. 

Thy light dispells the gloom. 
No other light can then avail. 

But Thine is radiant noon, 
And as we near the wondrous goal. 

Our right by blood-bought claim, 
The last low whispers of the soul. 

Are sweetened with Thy name. 



RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE 155 



THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE 

Ps. xxx7n:p. For with Thee is the fountain 
of life; in Thy light shall we see light 

0m^ HOU Source of life, and Light of 
rr men; 

^^ Incline me to Thy sovereign will, 
Illume my soul with Thee, and then 

I shall my mission best fulfill, 
I cannot reap where I've not sown, 

But loyal shall my service be, 
I have no plans beyond Thine own, 
But simply following Thee. 

Thou art, O Christ, the living Vine, 
The life of every fruitful stem. 

Let my life to Thine incline. 
For life is real only then. 

Inspire my life with deeds of love, 

That Thine own image Thou shalt see, 

In me, as in the saints above 

This is my prayer to Thee 

I come to Thee, the Fountain Head, 

To satisfy my thirsty soul. 
To feed on Thee, the living Bread, 

And by Thy touch, to be made whole, 
Thy truth unchanged, is changeless still. 

All yearning souls that turn to Thee, 



156 LYRICSOFLIFE 



With gracious bounty Thou wilt fill, 
And hence, I come to Thee. 

The secret of Thy dwelling place. 
Is to the heart of love revealed, 

There fountains of Thy sovereign grace, 
Are to the heirs of life unsealed. 

These fountains flow at Thy command, 
Dispensing all their healing free, 

Reach forth, O Christ, Thy loving hand. 
And op'e these founts to me. 

CHRIST'S COMFORTING PRES- 
ENCE 

Exodus 33:14. My presence shall go with thee and I will 
g^ve thee rest. 

£ I ^W^ ^ presence shall go with thee, 
I ll I And I will give thee rest," 

Are cheering words of prom- 
ise, 
To every troubled breast. 
For divers are our pathways. 

And thorny oft the road, 
And weary steps are flagging. 

Beneath their heavy load, 
Oh then to feel the presence, 
Of Christ our loving Guide, 
Whose hand shall ease the burden. 
Which we with Him divide. 



RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE 157 



My presence shall go with thee, 

Are words of comfort sweet, 
When evil arts assail us, 

And foes we would defeat , 
For in His strength we conquer, 

When to His side we cling. 
Or rest within the shadow, 

Of His Almighty wing. 
There in this sweet pavilion, 

No foes need us assail. 
For they against the Highest, 

Shall never once prevail. 

His presence shall go with us. 

Why need we be dismayed. 
Though death itself may threaten, 

And dark the valley's shade, 
With arm of strength beneath us. 

And words of loving cheer. 
Why need we dread the billows. 

Or cherish groundless fear. 
Though waves may rage and thunder. 

And lift on high their crests, 
No soul shall sink beneath them, 

That in Jehovah trusts. 

The Master's feet have trodden. 
Each rough and thorny road. 

And in His foot-prints treading. 
We'll reach yon blest abode, 



158 LYRICSOFLIFE 



His heart has throbbed with sorrows, 

As mortals never feel, 
To ope the way celestial. 

For man's most blessed weal. 
Then with His arms around us, 

A faithful loving Guest, 
His presence shall go with us, 

And He will give us rest. 



WAVES OF LIFE 



WAVES ON LIFE 



WAVES OF LIFE 

^M' IFE, the synonym of power, 
Jl I Thinking, breathing, throbbing 
force, 
Through the vastness of creation. 

Shapes its rhythmic, central course, 
Yet withal, each new pulsation, 
Every throb of human brain. 
Without pulse of Life Essential, 
Throbs for life and power in vain. 

Buoyant life abounds in Nature, 

Sendingthrobs through blade and bloom. 
Giving soul to leaf and petal, 

New and fresh from Nature's womb, 
A.nd with breath of sweetev^^t fragrance. 

And with pleasing tongues of joy. 
Breathes a life in beauteous language, 

Such as words could ne'er employ. 

Now a voice from out the silence. 
Of the midnight slumbering deep, 



i62 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Tells that life invades the waters, 

When awakened from their sleep; 
Now the voice seems like their worship, 

When they lift their solemn psalm. 
Or like lyres in mystic whispers, 

When subsiding in a calm ; 
Now the voice comes clearer, nearer, 

From the waves of rising tide. 
And life in power invest the breakers, 

On the beaches far and wide. 
Now they breathe their angry fury. 

As they break on rock-bound coast. 
Laughing in their proudest frenzy, 

O'er the wrecks of human boast; 
Now upon the sands in homage. 

Living worshippers, they kneel 
Sending hillward ceaseless paeans. 

And an inward life reveal. 
O ye waves, on tireless pinions. 

Keeping guard along the beach. 
Life and power invest your spirits. 

Only Heaven can overreach. 

Waves of Light in pearly beauty, 
First-born offspring of the skies. 

Carry life in boundless measure, 
And unfold in sweet surprise, 

Beauties of each art and color, 
For ten thousajad gladdened eyes; 



WAVES OF LIFE 163 



Carry life and breathe a lustre, 

To each plant and opening flower, 
Through the garden, field and forest. 

Through the pane and shaded bower. 
Dancing sunbeams, living, healthful, 

On the wave and in the air. 
Paint and picture fair creation. 

With their touches everywhere, 
On the sky in sweetest sunset. 

Tinging clouds with brightest hues. 
On the pearly drops of morning. 

Making diamonds of the dews, 
Clothing mountains in their purple, 

Dressing meadows in their green. 
Giving landscape brightest glory. 

And to waters golden sheen. 
O Thou first-born of creation, 

Emblem of the Son of God, 
Bright effulgence of bright Essence, 

Lifting shadows where He trod, 
Shine in healthful living lustre. 

Giving life through every beam. 
Let thy sweet and healthful power 

Through the pulse of Nature stream. 

Waves of Life, the most potential. 
Fill the realms of human thought 

Where the reach of mind o'er matter, 
Is by genius proudly wrought, 



i64 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Forces vast adown the ages, 

After wisdom, wealth and fame, 
Throng the spheres of man's ambition, 

And the pulse of life sustain; 
Heart, and mind, and will, in action. 

Secret springs of man's renown. 
Form the ethnic waves of being. 

From the cradle to the crown. 
Forceful Hfe in zeal and passion. 

Freight the air in classic lore, 
Grecian Hall, and Roman Forum, 

Felt its thrill in days of yore, 
In the role of proud oration. 

In its potent, magic force, 
In the flights of fond ambition. 

From! their fertile brainy source. 

Waves of Life, of Life Eternal, 

Flowing from the Throne of light. 
Breathe a nature, new and kingly, 

Giving man a new insight. 
Receiving thus, this new-born trend. 

Life from Him; the Living Way, 
Life in man becomes more real, 

Death no more shall have his sway. 
Light of life, of life immortal. 

Spans the darkness of the tomb, 
And reveals in bright coronal. 

Living forms beyond the gloom, 



WAVES OF LIFE 165 



This is life the most emphatic, 

This its fruitage of renown, 
The secret key of Hfe is action, 

Immortality its crown. 
Life, the breath of new creations. 

Life, the essence of the soul. 
Life, the soul of sparkling genius. 

Which in thoughts of beauty roll, 
Life and power are co-eternal, 

With the Highest on His throne, 
Eminating from His being. 

There their source and there their home. 

Life progressive, life evolving, 

Dofifs the old and dons the new. 
In its ever changing habit. 

Youth and strength it keeps in view, 
With its self-reviving power. 

Holding in itself the seed. 
Life yields new and certain fruitage. 

By its every thought and deed. 
This we call true evolution, 

In its upward, moving force. 
Reaching out and pushing heavenward. 

To its first, essential source. 

Measure not by added pulse-throbs. 
Life in fullness or in strength. 

Gauged by strenuous, holy purpose, 
Life unfolds its depth and length, 



i66 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Ihis involves the throbs immortal, 
Other life is short and vain, 

They live most and live the longest, 
Who to blissful life attain. 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS 



POWER OF WORDS 

^Yl^n INGS of thought, in mighty 
IJjLjl mission, 

^''^^'^^ On thy errands speed thy 
flight. 
Through the boundless, trackless, journey, 

Bear the truth, defend the right. 
Carry gems outvieing rubies, 
Costher far than finest gold. 
Salient thought in healthful diction. 
Such as purest lips unfold. 

But beware of thine ambition. 

Pause and think, if false or true. 
Words are mighty, words are living, 

And must voice some good in view. 
They must never bear the venom. 

Of the serpent's bitter sting, 
But when charged with charming sweet- 
ness. 

They to hearts will gladness bring. 



170 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Words are mighty when they're spoken, 

In the ear of friend or foe, 
Words reveal the hidden heart-strings. 

While they're bending to and fro, 
When they're telling love or sorrow. 

When they're breathing hate or fear. 
They reveal the strength and tension. 

In the smile or in the tear. 

Tongues alas forget too often, 

With what weight their words are 
fraught, 
Losing sight of vast impression, 

On the minds they've surely wrought. 
Unkind words of strife and envy. 

Idle words perchance of sin. 
They were hotly, quickly spoken. 

But regretted they have been. 

Winged words outstrip in transit. 

Bounds of latitude and space. 
Birth they've brought to throne and em- 
pire. 

Blessings vast to every race, 
They have ruled in countless conquests. 

They have stirred the foes to strife. 
They have swayed the trend of battle. 

They've inspired to peaceful life. 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS 171 



Salient words of boundless power, 

Words of gospel light and love, 
These are words of priceless dower, 

Sweetest message from above, 
Flinging light o'er darkest pathways, 

Swelling music on the ear, 
Loosing chains from direst bondage, 

Preaching peace, dispelling fear. 

THE BUTTERFLY 

^^^►LITTINGand floating on the zephyrs 

II of Spring, 

^mP Pursuing the pleasures each mo- 
ment will bring, 
Here and yon rollicking new meadows to 

try, 
This is the sole aim of the fair butterfly. 

Thus sporting and speeding its short life 

away, 
Among the sweet flow'rets, so thoughtless 

and gay. 
Then soaring like a breath to the archway 

on high. 
Oh, this is the fate of the fair butterfly. 

Desire, like the butterfly, never knows rest. 
Of new scenes and new objects, always in 
quest, 



172 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Without satisfaction, each pleasure is tried, 
Till the objects themselves this folly deride. 

Yes desire, says the wise man, desire shall 

fail. 
Vanity for happiness will never avail. 
It will find unblest each pleasure that is 

past. 
Till it turns for enjoyment to heaven at last. 

THE WAVE 
lyi Y'*^ HITHER thou sleepless, angry 

^'^^'^^ Ah, whither dost thou fly. 
Why rise, and fume, and proudly rave 

Against yon placid sky. 
Why upward fling defiant arm, 

And scorn celestial birth, 
And find delight in baseless charm. 

From sands on shores of earth? 

Nay rather clasp your hands in prayer, 

And bend in suppliant mood. 
That you may mount the shining stair. 

Where angel feet have stood, 
To drop from thence your tears of joy. 

In Nature's open urn, 
And thus your powers of good employ. 

And blessed fruits discern. 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS 173 



Thus in the frantic whirl of life, 

Do men their powers misuse, 
And spend their force in senseless strife, 

And heaven-born weal abuse, 
A higher life should be our aim. 

Beneficent employ. 
Dispensing boons as gentle rains, 

The harbingers of joy. 



THE UNDERTOW 

^y^HE waves are roUing on the shore, 
11 The bathers laugh and swim, 

The crested billows break and roar. 

As they come rolling in, 
While laughter rides upon the wave. 

And life, its sunbeams throw, 
The sea takes back the waves it gave, 

In dreaded undertow. 
And baffles seamen, life to save, 

From hidden sands below. 

Beneath a smiling joyous face, 

Oft beats a heavy throb. 
Griefs rolling in with rapid pace. 

On sands we gayly trod. 
Thus waves of joy and woe oft beat, 

In ceaseless ebb and flow, 



174 LYRICSOFLIFE 



And while with smiles our friends we greet, 

Their griefs, we do not know, 
Like hidden streams surround the feet, 

In secret undertow. 

Despairing souls, be blithe, be brave. 

Yield not to undertow. 
Courageous smiles will help to save 

From fatal overthrow; 
Encourage cheer, nurse not despair. 

Let love and hope control. 
Let not the hidden currents dare, 

Drag down your drooping soul, 
But rise in bright, uplifting air, 

That wafts to brighter goal. 

DEEDS 

0| F an angel's joy you crave, 
11 An influence sweet and wide. 

Such as will survive the grave, 
And be to men a guide, 
Deeds must be the seeds you sow. 
Loving deeds where'er you go. 
Which shall gladden as they grow. 
And in the heart abide. i 

Deeds of darkness or of light. 

Shall somewhere live and thrive, ' 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS 175 



Deeds of love from motives right, 

Are those that us survive, 
Lingering in our paths to bless. 
Clothing truth with living dress, 
Crowning efforts with success. 

That men may good derive. 

Deeds to live and reappear. 

In living moulds are cast. 
Rivaling truths of sacred seer, 

In influence long and vast. 
Deeds of philanthropic fame, 
Holy deeds of blessed name. 
Deeds of power that shall not wane, 

But shall all time outlast. 

Simplest deeds of faith and love. 

Where hearts and wills are weighed, 
Find more favor from above. 

Than prayers with great parade, 
These the monuments we leave. 
Higher oft than we conceive, 
And by which we may retrieve, 
A name that ne'er shall fade. 

Armals of the past will show. 

Disguises all in vain. 
Every act for weal or woe. 

Repeats itself again, 



176 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Good begun shall onward flow, 
And like streams shall wider grow, 
While the end we may not know, 
Yet all to God so plain. 



THE FOREST QUARREL 

0| N darkest shades of Summer eve, 
11 On the leaf and on the bough, 

Of forest tree is laid the scene, 

Of useless strife and family row, 
A scolding voice from comer new, 

Is there for talk and battle too, 
But since obscure from mortal view, 

Query asks; this creature, who! 
Katy-Didn't, or Katy-Did, I trow, 
Which Kate it was I do not know. 

Again a taunting voice I hear, 

Katy did, sounds through the air, 
Katy didn't, rings loud and clear, 

Now for fight whoever dare. 
Dispute with Kate or any kin, 

Katy didn't, Katy did. 
Fast runs the row in hottest din. 

Clatter and chat of Katy did, 
Katy-didn't, Katy-did do so, 
Katy-did, Katy-didn't I know. 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS 177 



Night after night the quarrels run, i 

Waging fiercer all the while, 
And myriad Kates to rescue come. 

All in tights and dancing style, 
There's music shrill all through grove, 

Clatter wild of saucy tongues. 
Hither and thither Katies rove. 

Scolding loud at top of lungs 
Katy-didn't, Katy did do so, 
Katy-did, Katy-didn't I know. 

When first the voice of Kate was heard 

Old folks said, six weeks comes frost. 
On this perchance the strife was stirred. 

This it was made Katy cross. 
From little things our quarrels rise. 

Gendering much of useless strife. 
And senseless talk from would-be-wise. 

Overthrows a tranquil life; 
Well, Katy said they didn't He, 
For surely frost came by and by. 



MAY-DAY 

®NCE more old Boreal, snow-plumed 
fiend. 
Has dropped his icy spear. 
And where his blighting sickle gleaned, 
Again the streams gush clear, 



178 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Where once he moaned the dreary hours, 

The Southwest breezes play, 
To kiss to Hfe the wild-wood flowers, 

The first sweet smiles of May. 

The hum of bees is in the air, 

The bluebird hails the spring, 
The plow-boy turns the soil with care, 

His seed will harvests bring, 
The music of the grove once more, 

The voice of gurgling rill. 
All premise Summer days in store. 

And God's wise laws fulfil. 

Dame Nature laughs in joyous glee. 

And flings her garlands wide. 
Spreads fragrant bloom o'er shrub and tree. 

With fitting taste and pride, 
As April wept in copious showers. 

And sweet distilling dew, 
So May responds in beauteous flowers. 

Old adage trite and true. 

New life from death springs everywhere, 

Glory of saving truth, 
O springing life, the quickening share, 

And raise the psalm of youth, 
For there's a voice in every sound, 

A tongue in every flower, 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS 179 



That speaks of life, where Hfe is found, 
Of Hfe and love and power. 

Thus too the winters of the soul, 

With fierce and icy sting, 
When warmed by love, will backward roll, 

And days of sunshine bring, 
Behind the cloud the sunlight lurks, 

The storms will clear the air, 
Hope, with faith, like magic works. 

While God is evervwhere. 



NOTES FROM THE BELFRY 

(Suggested by the chiming bells of a quiet 
rural Sabbath.) 

^0EW the tales of pleasing story, 

11 Few the notes of sweetest song, 

^W Equal those from out the belfry, 

Which to silver tongues belong; 
If perchance from country church spire 

Humble notes vibrate the air, 
Or from city's proud cathedral 

Music's chimes so clear and rare, 
All are voices clear and sacred, 

Bidding man for praise prepare. 



i8o LYRICS OF LIFE 



In the hush of tranquil resting, 

In the calm of Sabbath morn, 
Hark! the peals of sweetest music 

On the gentle zephyrs borne; 
Music sweet as angel voices, 

Whispering notes from out the skies, 
Calling mortals to the altars 

Where the incense should arise. 
In the breath of pure devotion, 

In the hearts of truly wise. 

In the lull of rural stillness. 

As the mill-wheel stops its round. 
Far from din of city traffic 

Or the whirl of jostling sound. 
Then the music from the belfry 

Through the peaceful parish swells. 
Sweet as notes of seraph music 

Chiming forth from Sabbath bells. 
Saying, Zion's gates are open, 

Seek refreshment at the wells. 

Chiming bells, send forth thy gladness. 

Cheer the drooping, trysting breast, 
Say to man, forget thy turmoil. 

Seek a Christian, Sabbath rest ; 
Though the world may call to wander, 

Do not let thy wooing cease ; 
With thy charms of sonorous music. 

Woo the soul to shrines of peace; 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS i8i 



Let thy notes be strong and pleading, 
Never once thy claims release. 

Thou art Zion's aerial herald, 

Pealing loud God's holy claims, 
Bidding man cut loose from bondage. 

From the grip of error's chains. 
Thence to seek the courts of Zion, 

Where the Gospel way is shown 
To the glory-land of promise. 

And its blessed joys made known; 
Gospel of a risen Saviour, 

Who for sin doth well atone. 



LILY OF THE VALLEY 

^^ WEETEST lily of the valley, 
^^ Blooming in the quiet nook, 

Honored by the sacred penman, 
On the records of the book. 
Ope thy cups to dews of morning, 

And distill in tiny bells, 
Perfumes rare for maiden's fancy, 
Sweeter far than merchant sells; 
As richest dame 
Will not disdain, 
Sweetest lily of the vale. 



i82 LYRICSOFLIFE 



Purest lily of the valley, 

Housed within thy emerald walls, 
Emblem of a stainless glory, 

Life of Jesus thine recalls, 
In thy snowy, pearly sweetness, 

Breathe on us thy fragrant balm. 
Speak to us of love and meekness. 

Be a floral, sacred psalm. 
And every stain. 
Thou may'st disdain. 

Purest lily of the vale. 

Fairest lily of the valley. 

Who with thee can'st well compare. 
In thy modest maiden beauty, 

Where's the queen who's quite so fair? 
Where's the king whose regal vestments. 

Though you neither toil nor spin. 
Can boast so rich and rare a texture. 

Or such admiration win? 
With floral train 
Thy rank maintain. 

Fairest lilv of the vale. 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS 183 



THE WELL-WEDDED PAIR 

^f^ HE muse and song in notes combine, 
£1 To captivate the soul, 

^^ Handmaidens, they from olden 

time, 
Have plied their arts in every clime, 
To charm, delight, console. 

As sovereign masters in their sway, 

With strength and sweep of string, 
They cause the clouds to fly away. 
They turn the darkness into day, 
As round the heart their sonnets play. 
And joy and sunshine bring. 

In flights of happy imagery. 

Each from the heart arise. 
Like incense in its tendency. 
Or like the billows of the sea. 

Reach out to yonder skies. 

They give to thought its blossom fair. 

Its fragrance and the fruit. 
And with their strings of soothing air. 
They calm the restless pulse of care. 
Like notes of pure and saintly prayer. 

Upon the heart's sweet lute. 



i84 LYRICS OF LIFE 



On wings of song the poet's thought, 

Finds access to the heart, 
With wondrous grace with power fraught, 
With diction fine and sweetly taught, 

Like Cupid's forceful dart. 



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